At least 32 dead in massive US storm after new fatalities reported in Kansas and Mississippi
PIEDMONT, Mo. (AP) — At least 32 people have been killed in a monster storm sweeping across much of the U.S. Kansas authorities said eight people died in a highway pileup caused by a dust storm Friday. But as of Saturday evening, Missouri still led the nation in fatalities. Authorities say the state was pounded by scattered twisters overnight that resulted in at least 12 deaths. Arkansas and Texas each saw three weather-related fatalities. There were six in Mississippi. High winds and dry conditions also raised the risk of wildfires. In Oklahoma, nearly 300 homes were damaged or destroyed. The Storm Prediction Center designated the day as “high risk” for severe weather, especially in the Deep South.
Trump invokes 18th century law to speed deportations, judge stalls it hours later
WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal judge barred the Trump administration Saturday from carrying out deportations under a sweeping 18th century law that the president invoked just hours earlier to speed removal of Venezuelan gang members from the United States. U.S. District Judge James E. Boasberg said he needed to issue his order immediately because the government already was flying migrants it claimed were newly deportable under Trump’s proclamation to be incarcerated in El Salvador and Honduras. Earlier, Trump claimed the Tren de Aragua gang was invading the United States and invoked the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, a sweeping wartime authority.
Trump orders strikes on Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen and issues new warning
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — The Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen say a series of airstrikes have hit the capital, Sanaa, on Saturday evening. U.S. President Donald Trump, in a social media post, says he ordered the airstrikes. The Houthis say 13 civilians have been killed. The airstrikes come a few days after the Houthis said they would resume attacks on Israeli vessels sailing in waters off Yemen in response to Israel’s blockade on Gaza. There have been no Houthi attacks reported since then. Images circulating online show plumes of black smoke over the area of the Sanaa airport complex, which includes a sprawling military facility.
Trump signs order to gut staff at Voice of America and other US-funded media organizations
President Donald Trump is ordering his administration to gut Voice of America and other pro-democracy media organizations run by the U.S. government. Trump issued an order Friday night to reduce costs at the U.S. Agency for Global Media and six other obscure federal agencies to the lowest amount possible. That was followed by staff at Voice of America being put on leave and grants being pulled at Radio Free Asia and other government-backed outlets Saturday morning. Michael Abramowitz, VOA's director, said "virtually” the entire 1300-person staff for VOA was put on leave.
Hamas says it will only release American-Israeli hostage if ceasefire deal is implemented
CAIRO (AP) — Hamas says it will only release an American-Israeli and the bodies of four other hostages if Israel implements their ceasefire agreement. The militant group calls it an “exceptional deal” aimed at getting the truce back on track. Meanwhile, Israeli airstrikes on Saturday killed nine people in Gaza including local journalists. A senior Hamas official says long-delayed talks over the ceasefire’s second phase would need to begin the day of the hostage release and last no longer than 50 days. Israel also would need to stop barring the entry of humanitarian aid, which was cut off two weeks ago.
Russia and Ukraine trade overnight aerial attacks after Putin sets out conditions for ceasefire
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russia and Ukraine have traded heavy aerial blows with both sides reporting more than 100 enemy drones over their respective territories overnight. In Russia, falling drone debris sparked a blaze close to a Lukoil oil refinery in the Volgograd region early Saturday, while Kyiv said it had also repelled a barrage of more than 175 drones. The attacks comes less than 24 hours after Russian President Vladimir Putin met with U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff to discuss details of the American proposal for a 30-day ceasefire in the war with Ukraine.
The Alien Enemies Act: What to know about a 1798 law that Trump has invoked for deportations
President Donald Trump has invoked the Alien Enemies Act for the first time since World War II, granting himself sweeping powers under a centuries-old law to deport people associated with a Venezuelan gang. Hours after his Saturday proclamation, a federal judge halted deportations under the order. The Alien Enemies Act allows non-citizens to be deported without being given the opportunity to go before an immigration or federal court judge. Applying it to a gang is a new and untested argument. Trump has long warned about foreign gangs, though only a tiny percentage of the people in the U.S. illegally are criminals.
With Trump's zigzag actions on trade, March came in like a lion and won't be going out like a lamb
WASHINGTON (AP) — On the U.S. trade front, March came in like a lion and won't be going out like a lamb. President Donald Trump has set in motion a tariff spree that expands or changes by the hour. Trump has announced punishing tariffs against allies and adversaries alike, selectively pausing some and imposing others. Late in the week, he warned he’ll tax European wine and spirits 200% if the EU doesn’t drop a 50% tariff on U.S. whiskey. His ultimate stated goal is to revive American manufacturing and win compromises. So far, he’s spurred fears about slower growth and higher inflation that are dragging down the stock market and consumer confidence.
Indonesia's cocoa farmers work with businesses to fight the bitter impact of climate change
TANJUNG REJO, Indonesia (AP) — Thousands of cocoa farmers across Indonesia are working with businesses and other organizations to protect their crops against the bitter impacts of climate change. Hotter and wetter weather is helping to spread deadly fungus and pests to the highly susceptible trees. Farmers are switching to other crops, too, due to high costs, shrinking yields and rising risks. Cocoa supplies have been falling, while prices have soared. Indonesia is the world's third largest cocoa producer after Cote D'Ivoire and Ghana. Experts hope the industry will take off as farmers get better training and financial support.
Kashmir's Sufi music lovers are sticking with the audio cassette
SRINAGAR, India (AP) — Shaksaaz, a tailor in the Kashmiri city of Srinagar, inherited his passion for local Sufi music from his grandfather along with a meticulously preserved collection of cassette tapes from the 1970s, which he often listens to as he works. He’s part of a small, dedicated community that believes cassette tapes are the best way to listen to and archive the Sufi music of Indian-controlled Kashmir, where music has long been a deep expression of spirituality and emotion. While the music, inspired by local and central Asian Muslim saints, is increasingly available in digital formats, many Kashmiris say that it’s best heard on audio cassettes. They're maintaining decades-old tape players to keep the tradition alive.
