Libya’s Attorney General’s Office announced Sunday that Education Minister Musa al-Magariaf has been sentenced to three and a half years in prison for corruption and abuse of power. The conviction stems from irregularities in the contracting process for printing and supplying school textbooks, where al-Magariaf was accused of favoritism and violating procurement rules.According to prosecutors, the minister manipulated the selection process by granting preferential treatment, disregarding the principle of equality in awarding contracts. The investigation found evidence of mediation and favoritism, leading to the court’s ruling against him.]The final verdict imposes a 3.5-year prison sentence, along with a fine of 1,000 Libyan dinars (approximately $207). Additionally, al-Magariaf will be barred from exercising civil rights for the duration of his sentence, plus an extra year after his release. Libya has struggled with widespread corruption in government institutions, particularly in sectors such as education and infrastructure.The country remains politically divided, with rival administrations in the east and west vying for control since the fall of Moammar Gadhafi in 2011. Corruption cases against public officials are frequently reported, though prosecutions remain rare due to the fractured judicial system. The Attorney General’s Office has vowed to continue pursuing legal action against corrupt officials as part of broader efforts to restore transparency and accountability.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara of attempting to usurp the government's discretion, which he called a dangerous betrayal of its explicit authority, in a letter sent on Monday."Your insinuations regarding suspicions of "illegality and conflict of interest" represent a complete reversal of justice.""Contrary to your claims, the intent to terminate the Shin Bet chief's term did not arise in the context of the investigation. In fact, the "investigation" was initiated only after the possibility of terminating his term was raised and reported in the media."On Sunday night, Baharav-Miara sent a letter to Netanyahu blocking him from firing Shin Bet Chief Ronen Bar until the agency's probe of Qatargate is complete.Although the prime minister does have sole control of the selection of the Shin Bet chief, the attorney-general wrote that the essence of the position is apolitical and not a loyalty appointment, such as most other political positions within the prime minister's office.

The Trump administration is reportedly considering recognizing Ukraine's Crimea as part of Russian territory as part of a possible agreement to end the Russia-Ukraine war, a reporter from The Economist alleged on X.“The Trump administration is considering recognizing Ukraine’s Crimea region as Russian territory as part of any future agreement to end Moscow’s war on Kyiv, according to two people familiar with the matter,” the unconfirmed report read.

North Korea said on Monday it will steadily upgrade and bolster its nuclear armed forces and blamed the foreign ministers of G7 states for infringing on its sovereign rights by demanding the end of its nuclear weapons program, state media reported.