Good morning, and happy Monday. Here are some of the stories we’re following today:
1. Egypt launches airstrikes on ISIS after militants behead 21
ISIS released a video on Sunday appearing to show the beheading of 21 Egyptian Christians, who had been kidnapped in Libya. Each of the men was paired with a militant and murdered on a beach near Tripoli, according to a caption on the video. Egypt said Monday it had carried out dawn airstrikes against ISIS in Libya in retaliation. It was Egypt's first confirmed foreign military intervention since the 1990 Gulf War. Meanwhile, the presidents of France and Egypt called for the United Nations Security Council to hold a meeting to address the terror crisis in Libya. Read more in NEWS.
2. Two charged with aiding gunman in Copenhagen attacks
Danish officials have charged two people with helping a gunman believed to be responsible for killing two people and injuring five in attacks at a freedom-of-speech event and a synagogue in Copenhagen over the weekend. The suspected shooter, a 22-year-old Danish man with a criminal record, was killed in a shootout with police on Sunday. Danish Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt said the attack on the freedom-of-speech event, organized by cartoonist Lars Vilks, who has faced death threats after caricaturing the Prophet Muhammad, was a terrorist act and put the nation on high alert. Read more in NEWS.
3. More snow follows deadly New England storm
A storm is expected to carry ice and snow from Oklahoma to the Carolinas on Monday. Washington, D.C., could pick up 8 inches of snow before the storm targets the Northeast. Lighter accumulations are expected in Philadelphia and perhaps as far north as New York. Both cities are experiencing single-digit temperatures Monday morning. New England has been battered by snowstorms, and Boston has broken its record for snowfall in a month. Read more in WEATHER.
4. Hackers stole up to $1 billion from banks
Russian security company Kaspersky Lab said in a report that a hacking ring active since 2013 has infiltrated more than 100 banks in 30 different countries, including Russia, the U.S., Germany and China. The hackers have stolen up to $1 billion, the report said, by becoming familiar with banks' systems. Read more in NEWS.
5. FAA proposes drone rules
The Federal Aviation Administration on Sunday proposed rules for small, commercial drones. Operators would have to pass an FAA test, would not be allowed to fly drones at night and would have to keep the drone in sight at all times. The rules will likely not be enforced for two or three years, but officials say that once they are in place, the economic and safety benefits of unmanned aircraft could be huge. Read more in NEWS.
6. SNL celebrates 40 years with star-studded, flashback-filled bash
Studio 8H in 30 Rock was filled with past cast members, musical guests and hosts of the cultural phenomenon that has spanned four decades. "SNL" welcomed back old friends, including Betty White, Eddie Murphy, Will Ferrell and Molly Shannon, and beloved characters, including Stefon (two Stefons, actually) and Wayne and Garth from "Wayne's World." Current cast members churned out laughs seamlessly with the legends, creating an evening that many will be reminiscing about until at least the 50th anniversary. Read more in ENTERTAINMENT.