A town grieves, questions remain

Laura L. Davis, USA TODAY
·4 min read
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Minnesota police are still looking for a motive in the killing of three first responders. Yulia Navalnaya, Alexei Navalny's widow, says she will continue the fight against Russian President Vladimir Putin. And Palestinians demand an end to Israel's occupation at a U.N. court.

👋Hey y’all! Laura Davis here, Monday edition. It's Presidents Day! Here are some fun facts about presidents (seriously!). After you’re done with that, scroll on for today’s top news.

But first: Sounds like they robbed this gator, but I’m no zoologist. 🐊 A Nebraska zoo is telling people to stop throwing coins into exhibits after $7 in coins was pulled out of (stolen from?) an alligator's belly.

Police seek motive for first responder killings

On Monday, the community of Burnsville, Minnesota, was mourning the deaths of two police officers and a firefighter as investigators continued probing the fatal shooting in which a heavily armed man barricaded in his home opened fire on first responders before he was found dead. Officers Paul Elmstrand and Matthew Ruge and firefighter Adam Finseth, who also worked as a paramedic, were killed, the city said. The shooting that broke out early Sunday after hours of negotiations shocked the residents of the suburb 15 miles from downtown Minneapolis, and baffled law enforcement, who have not released the suspect's name or a possible motive for the shooting. 👉 Here's what we know so far.

People attend a candlelight vigil after two police officers and a first responder were shot and killed Sunday in Burnsville, Minn.
People attend a candlelight vigil after two police officers and a first responder were shot and killed Sunday in Burnsville, Minn.

Navalny's widow says she will take on fight against Putin

Yulia Navalnaya issued a defiant statement Monday, saying she would continue the work of her husband, Alexei Navalny, a fierce critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin who died in custody in mysterious circumstances. “I should not have been in this position,” Navalnaya said in a YouTube video in which she accused Putin of orchestrating her husband's death. Navalny’s family and political aides have demanded that Russia's authorities return his body to them after prison authorities said he suffered "sudden death syndrome" where he was being held at a remote Arctic prison. Allies of Navalny, 47, who crusaded against official corruption and staged massive anti-Kremlin protests, believe he was murdered on Putin's orders. 👉 Follow our live updates.

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'Colonialism and apartheid': Palestinians press their case at UN court

Israel's occupation of the Gaza Strip, the West Bank and East Jerusalem denies Palestinians the right of self-determination, is illegal and must be brought to an “immediate, unconditional and total” end, the Palestinian foreign minister told the U.N.'s top court Monday. Riyad al-Maliki told the International Court of Justice in The Hague, Netherlands, that Palestinians have endured "colonialism and apartheid" since the occupation began in 1967. Now the world must finally cut off support to Israel, he said.

How we got here: The U.N. General Assembly asked the court for an advisory opinion on Israel's 57-year occupation and refusal to comply with overwhelming global support for a two-state solution. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government argues it must retain control of security over the territories because Palestinian political leaders have vowed to destroy Israel. 👉 Catch up with our live coverage.

Pro-Palestinians demonstrators wave flags as they protest outside the United Nations' highest court during historic hearings, in The Hague, Netherlands, on Monday.
Pro-Palestinians demonstrators wave flags as they protest outside the United Nations' highest court during historic hearings, in The Hague, Netherlands, on Monday.

A day of racing after a day of rain

Drivers, start your engines. Finally! A day after rain postponed the scheduled start, the NASCAR Cup Series kicks off the 2024 season today, as drivers hit the track at Daytona International Speedway for the sport’s most famous race: the Daytona 500. Forty drivers will compete on the high-banked superspeedway, racing at extremely fast speeds to the checkered flag for a chance to etch their name in history. 🏁 Who will celebrate in victory lane? Follow along for the latest updates from the 66th annual Daytona 500.

Persistent rain at Daytona International Speedway forced the postponement of Saturday's Xfinity Series race and Sunday's Daytona 500 until Monday.
Persistent rain at Daytona International Speedway forced the postponement of Saturday's Xfinity Series race and Sunday's Daytona 500 until Monday.

A break from the news

Laura L. Davis is an Audience Editor at USA TODAY. Say hello: laura@usatoday.com.  Support quality journalism like this? Subscribe to USA TODAY here.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Burnsville, Minn. shooting, Yulia Navalnaya, Daytona 500: Monday's news