At least 43 people, including an infant and several women, died early Sunday morning when an overloaded migrant boat broke apart on the rocks off the coast of Calabria, Italy. The first three bodies were discovered on the beach near Staccato di Cutro (Cutro) at 4:40 AM. Reports say around 80 people, from Iran, Pakistan, and Afghanistan, were saved from the water after clinging to pieces of the boat.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni was quick to express her sorrow for the tragedy and to blame the deaths on human traffickers. She stated “It is criminal to launch a boat just 20 meters long with 200 people on board in adverse weather. It is inhumane to exchange the lives of men, women, and children for the price of a ticket under the false perspective of a safe journey.”

The UN reported that 11,874

The US Energy Department has concluded it is “most likely” Covid-19 originated from a laboratory leak, according to a classified intelligence report provided to the White House and key members of Congress. Joining the FBI, the US Energy Department now speculates the pandemic was caused by a laboratory incident in China, although their conclusion is made with “low confidence.”

White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan responded to the report on Sunday during an appearance on CNN's State of the Union, saying, “President Biden has directed, repeatedly, every element of our intelligence community to put effort and resources behind getting to the bottom of this question.”

The FBI previously concluded with “moderate confidence” the pandemic began with a “laboratory accident” following a 90-day review ordered

As the nation awaits the Supreme Court's ruling this Tuesday on two lawsuits brought against President Joe Biden's plan to cancel up to $20,000 in student debt for federal borrowers, members of Congress and progressive advocates have united to bring the issue of higher education loan debt to the forefront of public discourse.

Democratic lawmakers have made the final call to the Supreme Court to uphold Biden's signature plan and make a judgement based upon the law as it is written. Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren has remarked that Biden should certainly have the authority to forgive student loan debt. But what the lawmakers, non-profits, and student debtors all want to know, is if the majority of media coverage surrounding this issue has remained impartial and informative.

A recent analysis explored the coverage of Biden's unprecedented proposal to forgive $400 billion in federal student debt, finding that 100 stories from major news outlets like Los Angeles Times

Russia is facing accusations of mistreating their own during a mobilization, with Regiment 1439 reportedly receiving inhumane and criminal orders during their deployment to Ukraine. The group, comprising of Russian citizens from Irkutsk in Siberia, publicized a video on Saturday, highlighted their plight and demanded help in dealing with their commanders.

The video revealed that the soldiers had been provided no support, including artillery, communications or reconnaissance when sent to attack the Avdiivka stronghold, leading to fears of a massacre. The desperate soldiers claim the Donetsk People's Republic commanders have fired machine guns and infantry fighting vehicles at the mobilized troops for refusing to join their assault units.

Furthermore, the soldiers accuse their local military prosecutors of colluding with the commanders and allege that their battalion has been almost destroyed. The men admit to being in a "desperate position" and are becoming increasingly fearful for their lives, as the DPR shows no concern

Residents of Oklahoma are being warned to brace themselves for a powerful wind storm, with widespread severe gusts of up to 110 miles per hour and strong tornado potential, expected to hit in the evening on Sunday. The National Weather Service has warned the storm is a derecho with a line of fast-moving thunderstorms and could span across western, northern and northeastern Oklahoma.

In order to prepare for these potentially damaging winds and tornadoes, the National Weather Service has urged Oklahomans to secure loose objects and drive cautiously, or stay away from doors and windows if in the most high-risk southwestern area of the state. The Oklahoma Weather Service suggests that residents anticipate possible power outages and prepare for potential F3 tornado classification with wind speeds higher than 200 m.p.h.

Multiple wind advisories are in effect, with Sunday afternoon having the most favorable potential for supercell tornadoes and very large hail. In addition

Lisa Ann Walter and Elaine Hendrix graced the red carpet of the 2023 SAG Awards on Sunday with a surprise 'Parent Trap' reunion. The two starred together in the 1998 classic Disney film, with Walter playing Chessy and Hendrix playing Meredith Blake.

Walter wore an off-the-shoulder black gown with a deep neckline, a velvet bodice, and embellished puff sleeves and skirt, while Hendrix donned a classic black tuxedo and bowtie. With their reunion, the internet went wild with fans posting about the much loved duo.

While being interviewed on the red carpet, Hendrix said that Walter asked her to accompany her as her date, saying “Lisa called me and asked me to be her date, and I’m like, 'Oh, I’m going to be your date, girl.'” to which

Damian Lillard put on a historic performance on Sunday, becoming the eighth player in NBA history to top 70 points in a single game in a 131-114 victory over the Houston Rockets. After missing the Blazers' last game due to travel delays, his career-high 71 points were a sight to behold. With 44.1 seconds remaining and his team firmly in control of the game, Lillard exited the court after a standing ovation from his fans in Portland.

The Blazers entered the night on a below .500 record and out of the play-in picture, but the win gained them critical ground as rivals Minnesota and Oklahoma City lost. Now, they sit 11th in the Western Conference, three games behind the No. 4 seed Phoenix Suns.

Lillard was joined by fellow starters Anfernee Simons, Jusuf Nurkic, and Jerami Grant in missing the game versus the Sacramento Kings prior

Italian authorities report that at least 43 people, including infants and women, were killed after a wooden migrant boat carrying around 100 people broke apart on rocks off the coast of Calabria in Southern Italy. The survivors were from Iran, Pakistan, and Afghanistan and are being treated for hypothermia, trauma, and dehydration.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni condemned human traffickers in the wake of the devastating accident. “It is criminal to launch a boat just 20 meters long with 200 people on board in adverse weather," Meloni said in a statement. Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi called for more initiatives to stop departures and discourage crossings which play on the “illusory mirage of a better life”.

Research performed by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees shows that this year 11,874 people have arrived in Italy by

Paris Saint-Germain were clinical as they recorded an impressive 3-0 win over second-placed Marseille in Le Classique, with Kylian Mbappe hogging the limelight. The 24-year-old opened the scoring in the 25th minute off a Lionel Messi assist, before the duo linked up again for Mbappe's second goal of the match 10 minutes into the second half. This brace took him to a double century of goals in PSG colours, which puts him alongside club legend Edinson Cavani in the all-time club record books.

PSG looked sharp throughout and Marseille ultimately had no answer to the quality on show. PSG moved eight points clear at the top of the Ligue 1 table, with Monaco and Lens a further two points behind them. The result came after a stuttering run of form and bodes well for

On Saturday in the Phoenix suburb of Goodyear, AZ, a pickup truck collided with a group of bicyclists, resulting in two fatalities and eleven serious injuries. The adult male driver of the pickup truck remained at the scene and is cooperating with local police.

Police spokeswoman, Lisa Berry, shared a safety message regarding the incident: “Drivers need to remember to share the road. As a general safety message, bicyclists should wear light colored clothing, protective gear, have their blinkers on the back and a light to make sure they are visible to drivers.”

The cause of the crash is currently under investigation. The Goodyear police department has requested that the community share any potential story ideas or details related to the incident with Dillon Fuhrman at dillon.fuhrman@.

Unfortunately, this tragic incident is not uncommon. This past Saturday, two people lost their lives and

SpaceX is preparing to make history this March, pending the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) approval of a launch license. The company plans to fly its Starship and Super Heavy rocket - the most powerful rocket to ever reach orbit - and run through its first orbital demonstration after completing a successful static-fire test earlier this month.

Gary Henry, the senior advisor for national security space solutions for SpaceX, assured Tuesday at the Space Mobility Conference in Orlando that the capabilities of both the vehicle and launching pad were ready for a launch attempt. He said they "had a successful hot fire and that was really the last box to check. The vehicle is in good shape. The pad is in good shape."

The Starship 24 rocket boasts six Raptor 2 engines, set to separate from the Super Heavy 7 booster over the Gulf of Mexico after launch. The booster will attempt to land on a barge, while the

On Sunday, Manchester United and Newcastle United face off in their first Wembley showpiece of the season. Both sides have enjoyed a strong resurgence in the Premier League, with United challenging for the title, and Newcastle challenging for a Champions League spot. The Red Devils haven't won a trophy since the Europa League in 2017, while it's been a longer wait for the Toon, who won their last trophy in 1955 - the FA Cup.

Cheering on the teams in Sunday's final will be their glamorous Wags. From an Argentinian showgirl, to a stunning Italian TV presenter, these women are likely to light up Wembley's stands. Italian presenter Diletta Leotta, 31, will be in attendance to cheer on Newcastle keeper Loris Karius. She has amassed almost nine million followers on Instagram, and continues to soar in popularity due to her eye-catching outfits

Conflict, tragedy, and optimism all mark the one year anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Since the start of the war, Moscow has sought to establish its influence in Africa, recruiting fighters from Central Asian countries, and all while the United States exerts "unprecedented pressure" and attempts to disrupt a planned Russia-Africa summit.

The war has claimed tens of thousands of lives and displaced millions, including thousands of children reportedly kidnapped and taken to Russian territories. Across Ukraine, the sorrow and pride of the past year is palpable with Ukrainian forces determined to retake captured territory and the president vowing to push for victory.

Unfortunately, prospects for a diplomatic resolution remain low due in part to the strategies of both sides. While Putin is not likely to attempt another take over of Kyiv given his failed attempt last year, he is not near quitting what the United Nations calls one of

In the second year of war between Ukraine and Russia, experts anticipate a spring offensive as tens of thousands of lives have already been lost. Ukraine has marked a year of war with sorrow and pride while their president vows to push for victory over Russia. Both sides are already deploying forces, with Russians desperate for a major victory and Ukrainians determined to retake captured territory. Though analysts predict that president Vladimir Putin won't try to take the capital this time, they agree he's far from quitting.

The U.S. has thrown their lot behind Ukraine and president Volodymyr Zelensky, taking stands against Moscow and galvanizing a broad Western unity in support of Ukraine. But even in the face of dispute, tragedy continues as Russian units face "unlawful and criminal orders" and are accused of being sent into battle without support. Recent videos suggest soldiers from regiment 1439, a unit from Siberia, are

Manchester United are gearing up to face off against Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday, but their team looks drastically different from their last cup victory six years ago. With only four players remaining from their 2017-winning squad, Man Utd could rely on David De Gea to be the only player to feature in the starting XI of both finals. The remaining four players are Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford, Luke Shaw, and Fred - all of whom are expected to have their positions in the starting line-up. Jose Mourinho's team have been transformed drastically since then.

Manchester United's rivals, Newcastle, may only have the leagues's sixth-best defensive record this season, however they hope to bring the energy and belief into the final as Eddie Howe has expressed his excitement for his team, who managed an impressive draw at Old Trafford earlier in the season. Newcastle goalkeeper Nick

On Sunday, Newcastle United will look to end their 54-year wait for a trophy when they face long-time rivals Manchester United in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley. The stage was set after Newcastle’s goalkeeper Nick Pope was sent off against Liverpool in a calamitous turn of events. With Alisson Becker launching a Liverpool counter-attack, Pope rushed out to attempt to intercept the danger and face-planted on the slide, but instinctually reached his hand out to stop the ball. With no choice, referee Anthony Taylor gave Pope a red card and a one-match ban, ruling Pope out of the cup final as well.

With Pope out, the stage is set for Martin Dubravka or Arsenal loanee Karius to step up in goal for the Magpies. Karl Darlow is currently on loan at Hull City and cannot play in the match. Marting

Nearly 85,000 households and businesses were left without power in Los Angeles as storms continued to hammer California. Snow closed the Interstate-5 near The Grapevine, heading north from Los Angeles, while flooding caused the freeway to close at other points in the city. National Weather Service warned Sacramento to avoid travel from Sunday to Wednesday as the storm system re-energized. Through Saturday, the storm system dropped over 2 inches of rain in Long Beach and up to 8 inches in the valleys and 12 inches in some mountain locations.

The storm brought wind gusts of up to 50 miles per hour in the Sacramento Valley and up to 70 miles per hour in the nearby Sierra Nevada Mountains. Wintry weather caused Yosemite National Park to close up until Wednesday.

Unusually cold temperatures have descended on San Francisco, while in the usually sunny city of Los Angeles snow flurries descended around the Hollywood

Manchester United and FC Barcelona's captivating UEFA Europa League showdown comes to a head on Thursday, February 23, 2023, with everything on the line. This is the final meeting of a two-leg tie and the first matchup had plenty of thrilling moments and ended in a 2-2 draw. Barcelona went on to beat Cadiz 2-0 over the weekend, while Man United scored a 3-0 win over Leicester City. Now, it's winner-take-all when they collide at Old Trafford in Manchester, England at 3 p.m. ET.

The teams approach the game with opposing forms: while Barcelona succumbed to their first defeat since the World Cup break in the first leg, Manchester United have been in the best form of anyone in the world right now. Marcus Rashford and teammate Jadon Sancho have found their stride, and with Bruno Fernandes continuing to be in good form, have created

The Sunday, February 26th shipwreck off the coast of Italy was devastating for many. The Italian Coast Guard reported that 43 migrants perished when a wooden boat carrying 80 people was smashed into rocks after being crowded into a 20-meter (66-foot) long boat in adverse weather conditions. The majority of the migrants were rescued, but sadly, the event serves as a stark reminder of the brutal realities of human trafficking.

Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni expressed her condolences to the families affected and called out human traffickers for the “inhumane” exchange of life for a ticket. She pledged to use her power to push other European Union leaders to assist in cracking down on human smugglers and to help the Italian efforts.

The scene of the shipwreck at Steccato di Cutro beach, in Calabria Italy, is heartbreaking. Splintered wood, colored blankets, and bodies of the deceased lay

The double murder trial of Alex Murdaugh was recently completed, with 61 witnesses being called by the prosecution and 11 being called by the defense. Murdaugh is accused of killing his wife, Maggie, 52 and son, Paul, 22 at kennels near their home on June 7, 2021. Murdaugh has denied any role in the fatal shootings, but if found guilty faces 30 years to life in prison.

The defense argued that the crime scene lacked accurate evidence, with expert witness Mark Ball testifying that the lack of proper investigation was disrespectful. The Murdaugh’s family and friends were also allowed to walk around the scene for hours before state agents arrived, and the sheet used to cover the bodies was not saved, risking the loss of any trace evidence.

The trial concluded with Alex Murdaugh testifying in his own defense, saying he was not at the crime scene and had no access to the gun. The defense

Followers of Serie A are used to the title race being virtually over at this stage in the season, but the battle for second still looms large. This Sunday, Inter Milan venture to a resurgent Bologna looking to fend off any challengers.

Under the leadership of Simone Inzaghi, Inter have put themselves in pole position to challenge Napoli for supremacy in the Italian top flight. Accompanied by a 10-point haul from their past four games, they will enter the match at Stadio Renato Dall’Ara with a secure hold on the second spot.

The same cannot be said of their opponents. While Bologna have stormed to an impressive 13-point haul from their recent six games to widen the gap between them and the relegation zone, their next seven fixtures will test their capabilities to the brink. They are

As the snow storm passes through California, residents across the Golden State are dealing with enduring effects. Heavy snow fall in the mountains of Riverside County has led to hazardous blizzard-like conditions and has necessitated the closure of the highways connecting cities from Bakersfield to Los Angeles and Bakersfield to Tehachapi. Though the roads have since reopened, drivers should exercise extreme caution when braving the elements. After Friday evening, snow levels are expected to reach 3,000 feet, and top Forecast snowfall estimates range from 4 – 7 feet in San Bernardino and portions of Riverside County, creating dangerous weather conditions.

In addition to the snow, heavy rains and gusty winds across the Coachella Valley could result in more widespread and heavier precipitation. A flood watch has been put in place from Friday evening until Saturday evening, leading to concerns about potentially excessive runoff. Signs of this runoff can already be seen

A blowout victory has been earned by the Purdue Boilermakers, who were last night officially crowned the 2023 Big Ten Champions. Despite being stunned in a devastating loss to in-state rival Indiana on Saturday, the Boilermakers, who currently has a 24-5 overall record and 13-5 in the Big Ten, secured the title with a commanding 75-59 win.

This is the 25th title won by the Boilermakers since the first in 1923. The victory caps off an impressive season for Purdue, who was predicted to finish mid-to-lower in the conference standings but defied all odds and worked their way to the top. The Boilermakers didn’t let any obstacle stand in their way, fighting through tough losses and remaining resilient to the last second.

Indiana, Maryland and Northwestern followed in the standings far behind the Boilermakers, each with an 11-7 record

One year after the Russia-Ukraine war erupted, US gas prices have continued to be surprisingly low. Prices shot up to a historic high of $5.02 just after the full-scale invasion began in June 2022, but it didn’t take long for them to fall back down. With an average price of $3.39 per gallon as of this Friday, the anniversary of the start of the war, Americans are paying much less than anticipated.

To understand why, we must look at the reactions of the global markets and the strategies on either side. Global commodity markets reacted to the war by raising prices, expecting the need for an alternative to Russian oil. Despite the US and its allies imposing sanctions on Russia, oil shipments to China, India and Turkey continued, and the Strategic Petroleum Reserve eventually released its stockpiles.

It can also be considered why Vladimir Putin delayed his actions to invade Ukraine until 2014.

The residents of East Palestine, Ohio, were recently confronted with a train derailment, releasing 115,000 gallons of a toxic chemical, vinyl chloride, and prompting an evacuation of the small town on February 3rd, 2023. In response, the Biden Administration has announced it will be launching a door-to-door offering of assistance to affected families.

Led by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Environmental Protection Agency, and Federal Emergency Management Agency, teams of workers will go door-to-door starting Saturday and ask families how they are doing, what they need, and connect them with appropriate resources. President Joe Biden has directed them to visit as many homes as possible by Monday, with the goal of reaching at least 400 families. While the President will not be visiting Ohio personally, this door-to-door operation is an example of the thorough response the Biden Administration has