The US and Canada are set to announce an agreement that allows them to turn back unauthorized border crossers, amid a surge in migration to both countries. The move addresses tensions between the US and Canada over the flow of asylum seekers across their borders. The deal permits Canada to return immigrants who cross into the country through Roxham Road, an unofficial entry point into Quebec from New York, which is popular among migrants seeking asylum in Canada. The US, for its part, has been grappling with increased migration from Canada. The resolution is part of wider efforts to curb the rising flow of such people at Roxham Road. Under the agreement, Canada has pledged 15,000 slots on its new refugee program to migrants fleeing violence, persecution, and economic devastation in South and Central America, reducing the pressure for unauthorized access to the United States from Mexico. The accord marks a significant contrast to the frosty relationship that characterized former President Trump’s time in office, which saw a number of issues, including movement across the border, cause friction between him and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Law enforcement officials confirm that a suspicious powder sent to the Manhattan district attorney's office in Lower Manhattan, marked "Alvin," was nonhazardous. The envelope was delivered by the US Postal Service to the mailroom at 80 Centre St. on Friday. NYPD officers arrived on the scene after a 911 call reported the incident. Although there were no injuries reported, the timing of the incident raises questions, as Bragg's office has been presenting its case to a grand jury considering the indictment of former President Donald Trump over hush money paid to porn star Stormy Daniels during his 2016 campaign. Coincidentally, bomb threats were called in at the courthouse earlier this week, which disrupted the proceedings, but it is unclear whether the two incidents are related. Trump threatened Bragg with "death and destruction" if he is indicted, and last week Bragg warned Trump supporters not to threaten or intimidate his office. The office assures everyone that they have increased security measures, and officers have been reminded to stay vigilant and maintain situational awareness.

16-year-old Aiden Fucci has been sentenced to life in prison for murdering his friend, 13-year-old cheerleader Tristyn Bailey. The brutal nature of the killing and the ages of the victim and perpetrator drew national attention. The stabbing happened in 2021 and Fucci pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in February. Prosecutors said the killing had no motive besides Fucci's desire to feel what it was like to kill someone. The judge described the crime as "heinous, atrocious and cruel," with a heightened level of premeditation shown by Fucci. Tristyn endured 114 stab wounds, 49 of which were deemed defensive according to the medical examiner. Her family members delivered heartbreaking victim impact statements, with her sister beginning hers by dropping 114 aqua stone hearts into a jar. Fucci's grandmother begged the judge to not remove her grandson from their lives, while Tristyn's father thanked the judge for delivering the sentence and asked people to extend kindness to Fucci's family.

An explosion at the R.M. Palmer Company chocolate factory in West Reading on Friday resulted in an as-yet unknown number of injuries, two reported dead, and nine unaccounted for. A gas leak was potentially the cause of the explosion, according to a report. Six individuals were transported to medical centers while evacuation and rescue operations continued. The factory is known for its seasonal chocolates and has been a fixture of the Reading, PA community for over 70 years. According to its website, there are 850 employees at the West Reading headquarters, though it is unknown how many were present during the explosion. The cause of the explosion is under investigation, and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration was expected to visit the scene on Friday night. Although residents were asked to avoid the area, the authorities declared there was no imminent danger. A command center has been set up to coordinate local and state agencies’ efforts as rescue and investigation efforts continue.

The House Jan. 6 select committee's year-long effort to get former Trump chief of staff Mark Meadows to testify, along with other unwilling witnesses, has exposed the limits of Congress' subpoena power. Despite winning a court fight to defend its subpoenas and voting to refer Meadows for prosecution of contempt of Congress, Meadows never testified about the emails and texts he exchanged with members of Congress in the days surrounding the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol. The Justice Department also declined to charge him.

Experts say that this episode illustrates the difficulty congressional investigations face in enforcing subpoenas alone, and a lack of consequences for unwilling witnesses may haunt future congressional investigations. While committee members and Justice Department lawyers have pointed to court victories as a vindication of congressional investigative power, the slow-moving courts create a practical issue that hangs over all of this. Congress can issue subpoenas, but it needs court enforcement.

The Jan. 6 committee's experience highlights the limitations of civil contempt and inherent contempt, two powerful tools to enforce subpoenas. Civil contempt is undermined by the same slow-moving courts, and inherent contempt, where Congress arrests defiant witnesses to try to force their testimony, lacks political will. The legal record exposed by the Jan. 6 committee's subpoenas shows how much the legislative branch will rely on the courts and federal agencies in future probes.

Lawmakers in the US are divided over whether to ban or restrict the popular Chinese-owned video-sharing app, TikTok. The app has come under intense scrutiny over fears that the Chinese Communist Party may use it to spy on Americans or spread propaganda. The US government has been warning about TikTok for four years, yet there is little evidence of harm. While Republicans and Democrats both agree on the need to increase security measures for American children, the Democrats remain unconvinced that banning TikTok is the best way forward. The Biden administration is demanding that TikTok's owners sell the app or face an outright ban on all US devices. As the Democrats control the Senate, they will largely decide what happens next to TikTok. Some tech-savvy Democrats are calling for restraint when it comes to a ban and prefer alternative solutions that address the privacy and security risks posed by US-based apps.

Experts have warned that as there is not much separation between companies in China and the country's government, Chinese technology companies could be Trojan horses for the Chinese Communist Party to harvest data on Americans or spew propaganda. However, it is unclear how much of this risk is hypothetical and what the US should do about it. The US government needs to be transparent with the public and provide specific evidence of harm if they choose to ban TikTok. The situation over TikTok highlights the need for comprehensive national privacy and cybersecurity laws that affect companies of any nationality.

On Friday, House Republicans passed the "Parents Bill of Rights Act", a midterm pledge that will grant parents more access to information about their child's education. This act aims to empower parents by requiring schools to notify them of their right to review the curriculum and school budget, inspect library materials, and receive information about any violent activity in the school. Furthermore, elementary schools or schools housing grades 5-8 will require parental consent before changing a student's pronouns or preferred name, or allowing a student to change their sex-based accommodations like locker rooms or bathrooms. These provisions are aimed at bringing transparency and accountability to education, allowing parents to be informed and lawfully bring their concerns to their local school boards.

The bill also prohibits schools from selling student information and schools that don't comply with the act will be at risk of losing federal funding. The bill's sponsor, Rep. Julia Letlow, emphasized that the legislation is not an attempt by Congress to dictate curriculum or determine the library's books. However, the legislation is a galvanizing issue for the Republican base, and it indicates a further leaning in on culture war issues ahead of the 2024 election. On the other hand, Democrats argue that the bill will not address the real problems of equity in education and the nationwide drop in math and reading competency across all ages. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has already said the bill has no political future in the Democratic-controlled Senate.

The Los Angeles Unified School District and Service Employees International Union Local 99 have reached an agreement following a three-day strike. The union represents around 30,000 school support workers who were calling for better pay and working conditions. The agreed-upon terms include a 6% ongoing wage increase retroactive to July 1, 2021, 7% ongoing wage increase retroactive to July 1, 2022, 7% ongoing wage increase effective July 1, 2023, and $2 per hour increase for all employees effective January 1, 2024. The deal also includes a $1,000 bonus for current employees who were with the district in the 2020-21 school year, raising the Los Angeles Unified School District minimum wage to $22.52 an hour, and health benefits for part-time employees working four or more hours a day, including coverage for qualified dependents. The hours and compensation for paraprofessionals serving students with special needs will increase, and there will be an investment of $3 million in an Education and Professional Development Fund for SEIU members. The United Teachers Los Angeles union is undergoing separate contact negotiations with the district, and the deal must still be voted on by the full union.

Governor Gavin Newsom announced on Friday that California will be rolling back some of its statewide drought restrictions and increasing water supplies for agencies serving 27 million people. This comes after one of California’s wettest winters on record, which has helped to replenish reservoirs and ease drought fears after three consecutive years of severe drought. Newsom declared a statewide drought emergency in October 2021 and implemented a voluntary 15% reduction in water use. However, he has since rescinded this call, along with other orders requiring urban water suppliers to activate Level 2 of their water shortage contingency plans. Despite this, some provisions will remain in place, such as the prohibition on watering lawns within 48 hours of rainfall and a ban on watering nonfunctional turf at commercial and industrial properties. Newsom emphasized the need to remain vigilant about water usage and conserve where possible, as volatile weather patterns continue to threaten water supplies. Reports show that the snow-capped Sierra Nevada and Santa Monica Mountains are among the areas no longer considered to be in drought. California’s vast network of reservoirs, canals, and dams that act as a major component of the state’s water system, known as the State Water Project, will now provide agencies that supply water to millions with 75% of requested supplies.

The bodies of two people who are believed to be migrants from Mexico were found in a sweltering shipping container on a stopped train near Knippa, Uvalde County on Friday, along with 13 more people, including at least five who were described as being in critical condition, according to officials. Don McLaughlin Jr., the mayor of Uvalde, reported that the authorities received a 911 call around 3:50 pm, alerting them that about 15 people had been trapped inside a sweltering shipping container. Uvalde police notified Border Patrol and closed a segment of US Highway 90 to allow medical helicopters to land and treat the injured. While it is unclear whether the call came from inside the container, the mayor stated that the train, which had been sitting on the tracks in the sun for about three hours, was locked and wired shut, when the officers arrived. By the time officers managed to pry open the container, they found two people dead and many others severely dehydrated. Five migrants were transported to San Antonio hospitals, and some appeared to be in good health. Homeland Security Investigations said it was investigating the possibility of human smuggling. This discovery comes months after over 50 migrants were found dead inside an overheated trailer in San Antonio.

The United States Men's National Team (USMNT) scored a dominant victory over Grenada with a 7-1 win in the CONCACAF Nations League. Weston McKennie and Ricardo Pepi each scored two goals while Christian Pulisic, Brenden Aaronson, and Alejandro Zendejas also found the back of the net. The team played their first competitive fixture under interim coach Anthony Hudson, and the match provided an opportunity for midfielder Gio Reyna to move past the World Cup controversy. Reyna started as part of the midfield three but failed to make a significant impact on the field. However, his participation marked an important step forward for the midfielder, who has been embroiled in several off-the-field controversies in recent months.

The game also marked an occasion for several USMNT players. Zendejas, who made his USMNT debut in January, scored a beautiful goal to mark his cap-tying, as did midfielder Johnny Cardoso. Defenders Auston Trusty and Mark McKenzie also received their USMNT debuts, with Trusty currently impressing in Birmingham City. Overall, Christian Pulisic was by far the best player on the field, showcasing his capabilities as captain of the USMNT. Despite the team's current off-the-field issues, their dominant victory over Grenada could be a sign that they are moving past the World Cup controversy and heading in the right direction.

Three children who battle serious illnesses have received surprise trips to watch their favorite college basketball teams play in the NCAA Men's College Basketball Tournament. Non-profit organization Team Impact matches these kids with their favorite college sports teams to give them life-changing experiences. The children also inspire the college athletes involved in these programs, creating a mutually beneficial relationship.

Fifteen-year-old Brennon, born with a heart condition, and 12-year old Rylan, who suffers from a chronic immune condition, will watch their favorite teams play in Kansas City and Las Vegas, respectively. Brennon will see the University of Miami Hurricanes take on number one seed, the University of Houston Cougars, while Rylan will cheer for the University of Connecticut Huskies. A video of Brennon learning about his trip and expressing his excitement is available online, as well as one of Rylan’s ecstatic reaction on his birthday.

The second child, Jace, who battles nephrotic syndrome and lupus, is the "lead ball boy" for the Houston Cougars and will travel with his family to Kansas City to support his team against the University of Miami. Jace signed a "Cougars Letter of Intent" last year and became a member of the basketball program, wowing head coach Kelvin Sampson by displaying leadership and point guard skills.

Team Impact has matched over 2,600 children with their favorite college teams to provide hope, inspiration and support. Anyone interested in learning more about their work can follow the link provided.

A deadly tornado tore through Mississippi and Alabama on Friday, claiming the lives of at least 14 people. Residents of the affected towns, including Rolling Fork, Silver City, and Anguilla, were warned of the "life-threatening situation" and advised to seek shelter immediately. The National Weather Service warned that the tornado would cause considerable damage to homes, businesses, and vehicles, with complete destruction being a possibility. Videos shared on social media showed the extent of the damage, with buildings, vehicles, and debris littering the streets. Residents are being urged to remain alert due to the risk of further tornadoes or severe thunderstorms in the region. The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency has deployed search and rescue teams to the affected areas and will assess the damage on the ground. Thousands of residents were also left without power due to the severe weather. The tornado emergency has been declared in Rolling Fork, Mississippi, and the authorities have urged residents to identify safe locations and have a reliable method of receiving alerts, even while sleeping.

Emergency managers across Mississippi have been preparing for potential severe weather, and urging the public to do the same. With tornado watches and warnings issued in several areas, residents are being urged to have working NOAA radios handy, as well as making sure their smartphones are set to receive weather alerts. Emergency management director Mike Work says that the Rankin County safe room won't close until any severe weather alert has been lifted. County crews have been getting ready, gassing up chainsaws and checking that all heavy equipment is working properly to respond to remove debris from the roads. Despite this preparation, outdoor early storm sirens are still unreliable. Even when they do function properly, residents might not hear them overnight while they sleep, leaving them at risk as storms approach. Mississippi has already experienced some consequences of severe storms, as thousands are without power in Sharkey and Humphreys counties, while numbers are expected to increase as severe weather pushes through. The question remains: are Mississippians prepared for these severe storms?

As the recruitment and football seasons are brewing, Iowa Athletics is gearing up for an exciting year. Although details are slowly surfacing, rumors and whispers have started to circulate. According to insiders, one of the most anticipated updates is the Iowa Hawkeyes' highly-anticipated recruitment of several talented players. While the specifics are still unknown, fans are eager to learn who will join the team this year. Meanwhile, another intriguing news is the possible move of longtime Iowa football coach, Kirk Ferentz, following last season's disappointing outcome. However, no official decisions have been made by the coaching staff regarding Ferentz's future with the team.

Apart from football, the Iowa Athletics Board is said to be planning ahead for the new academic year. They are reportedly set to announce various improvements on the university's sports facilities, including a newly-renovated football practice field, updated workout facilities, and modernized sports equipment. Several sports programs are also said to receive new funding to enhance their facilities and other resources. With all these changes happening, it's certainly an exciting time to be part of the Iowa Athletics community. Stay tuned for more updates as they become available.

Iowa had a resounding victory over Southeastern Louisiana, winning by a 52-point margin. The Hawkeyes had an excellent shooting performance, with a 60% field goal percentage and a .833 free throw percentage. They also made 8 of 20 three-pointers attempted. Defensively, Iowa blocked five shots and had 10 steals. However, they also had 16 turnovers throughout the game. No technical fouls were recorded for either team. Despite some turnovers, Iowa was dominant and had contributions from various players such as Clark, Warnock, Marshall, Martin, McCabe, Wetering, and Czinano. The Hawkeyes look primed to continue their winning streak moving forward.

On Friday afternoon, the Illinois State men's tennis team claimed a crucial victory against 64th-ranked Creighton in Omaha, Nebraska, with a final score of 4-3. The doubles point was hard-fought, with each team taking a win and leaving it to court No. 3 to decide. There, Creighton's Oscar Alvarez and Zachary Kuo edged out ISU's Nam Pham and Ming-Chieh Chiu to gain the crucial first point of the match. In singles play, Creighton took a 2-0 lead, but ISU's Tin Ostro and Nam Pham were able to tie things up at 2-2. Adrian Dibilidox gave ISU the advantage, and freshman John Smith clinched the match with his win, pushing ISU ahead 4-2. Creighton's Alejandro Gandini was able to win the final singles match, but it was not enough to overcome ISU's earlier wins. Head coach Mark Klysner praised his team for their performance against the ranked opponent, saying, "whenever playing a ranked team, you are always an underdog, but boy did we step it up today and we just earned it the old fashioned way."

On Friday night, a massive fire broke out in Scituate, Massachusetts, destroying five homes while damaging three others. Eight homes were affected by the blaze that started at around 8 p.m. local time. More than 60 firefighters from over eight communities in the area joined in the fire response effort. Though the fire was eventually contained, crews remained on the scene to tackle hotspots. The cause of the fire is unknown, and authorities are still investigating. No injuries were reported but residents are advised to expect water-related issues and potential power outages. Scituate Police have asked anyone not immediately affected by the fire to stay away from the area. Local resident, Patti Wolff recounted that the fire had been sudden, erupting like an explosion with cinders flying in various directions. Fire chief John Murphy described the incident as unprecedented, stating that the fire spread rapidly due to the congested beach homes in the area and the weather at the time. The firefighters from neighboring communities, including Rockland, Duxbury, Marshfield, Cohasset, Hull, Hingham, Norwell, and Hanover helped to contain the fire.

A tragic explosion at the RM Palmer Company chocolate factory in West Reading has left five people dead and six others missing. The explosion occurred on Friday, March 24, and destroyed one building while severely damaging another. It took the first responders several hours to control the fire that engendered from the blast.

According to police reports, eight people were hospitalized, but only three are still receiving treatment while the others have been released from the hospital. The explosion and the resulting fire also caused the RM Palmer Company to suffer significant damage. The Palmer family has not yet commented on the events.

The cause of the explosion is yet to be determined, but investigations are ongoing. The West Reading police have announced that they will thoroughly examine the site and speak to the witnesses to gain clues into the accident. RM Palmer is a prominent chocolate factory that has been producing confections since 1948, and time will tell the extent to which this catastrophe will impact the company's operations.

In a crucial CONCACAF Nations League match, Belize will host Guatemala at FFB Field in Belmopan on March 25th, 2023. The match will kick off at 02:00 UK time but is not being televised live in the UK. Belize is currently at the bottom of League B Group D with one point, while second-placed Guatemala has seven points and is competing for promotion to League A. A win for Guatemala is essential to avoid being relegated to League C. In their most recent outing, Guatemala shared a 1-1 draw with Panama in a friendly match, while Belize suffered a 1-0 defeat to French Guiana in mid-June. Belize, one of the weakest sides in the CONCACAF confederation, is winless in their last eight matches. Led by Carlos Bernardez and Angelo Cappello's serviceable forwards, Guatemala will be expected to win this match quite comfortably. Belize will rely on their standouts Deon McCaulay, Norman Anderson, Krisean Lopez, Nana Mensah, and Darrell Myvett to cause an upset. Will Guatemala secure promotion with a victory?

Recently, a federal judge has ruled that several former officials from President Donald J. Trump's administration, including Mark Meadows, his former chief of staff, cannot invoke executive privilege to avoid testifying to a grand jury investigating Mr. Trump's efforts to overturn the 2020 election. The ruling paves the way for the former White House officials to answer questions from federal prosecutors. Trump’s lawyers have tried to rebuff grand jury subpoenas issued to more than a half-dozen former administration officials in connection with the former president's efforts to remain in office after the polls’ defeat. The lawyers argue that Mr. Trump's interactions with the officials would be covered by executive privilege. Federal prosecutors are eager to hear from Meadows, who refused to be interviewed by the House select committee that investigated the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol. Meadows was a central player in various efforts to help Mr. Trump reverse the election outcome in a number of contested states.

The ruling gives way for former officials to appear before the grand jury and answer questions from federal prosecutors. While the existence of the sealed ruling was first reported by ABC News, Judge Beryl A. Howell ruled on the matter in a closed-door proceeding in her role as chief judge of the Federal District Court in Washington, overseeing the grand juries in the ongoing investigations into Trump.

The House Republicans passed the Parents Bill of Rights Act aimed at "protecting parental rights" on Friday. The bill requires public schools to disclose all curricula, reading lists, library books, and budget costs, and teachers to seek parents' consent before changing a child's gender status. Despite its defense from Rep. Julia Letlow (R-La.) that the measure “is not an attack on our hard-working teachers,” the bill received criticism from some members of Congress, with Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez likening it to "fascism." The act is part of a nationwide movement among conservative groups to empower parents in their children's eduction, sparked by frustrations with education during the pandemic. However, critics argue that it is a cheap device to divide Americans politically using culture-war scare tactics, with attempts to remove accurate history about discrimination and anything LGBTQ-related from curriculums. According to reports, this movement largely ignores the real problems of equity in education and the alarming, nationwide drop in math and reading competency across all ages.

Former President Donald Trump has warned that possible criminal charges against him could cause "death & destruction" in the US, shortly after New York prosecutors investigating his hush-money payment to porn star Stormy Daniels said they would not be intimidated. This latest post on Trump's Truth Social media platform was the latest in a series of verbal attacks on Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg since last Saturday when Trump wrongly predicted he would be arrested three days later.

The Manhattan grand jury is investigating hush-money payments Trump allegedly made to Daniels during the 2016 presidential campaign. While prosecutors from Bragg's office have been presenting grand jurors with evidence, the panel is not scheduled to meet again until at least Monday. Daniels has said she received money in exchange for keeping silent about a sexual encounter she had with Trump in 2006, which he denies.

Trump has repeatedly denied fraud in relation to his 2020 defeat to Joe Biden and inspired his followers to launch a deadly assault on the US Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. The repercussions of potential criminal charges against him could be catastrophic for the country, Trump warned.

Flau'Jae Johnson is a 19-year-old star who has made waves in several industries. She is not just a top-30 high school basketball player but is also known for her musical ability. Johnson's father is Camoflauge, a famous rapper who was killed before she was born, and she has carried on his legacy with her music. Her stardom began to grow when she was a contestant on The Rap Game at the age of 12, which led to her performing on America's Got Talent.

Flau'Jae's music has helped her accumulate a following of 140,000 subscribers on YouTube. In addition to her music success, Johnson secured a full-ride scholarship to LSU in 2022, a Puma deal, and a distribution deal from Roc Nation. She is a legitimate multi-industry star, and her popularity is attributed in part to her social media presence.

Flau'Jae's mother, Kia Brooks, remembers her daughter as a natural talent when she played baseball at the boys and girls club at the age of 6. Her youth baseball coach Maurice Kirkland said, "Our team was good as a whole but she was becoming the talk of the park. It got to one point where other teams' games would be over and they would come to the fence and watch us play." Her competitiveness and drive to win continue to shape her success today.

Sophomore center Ben Middlebrooks has become the second Clemson basketball player to enter the transfer portal, after freshman guard Chauncey Gibson. Middlebrooks averaged 11.2 minutes and 3.1 points per game this season. He played in 34 games for the Tigers, but he has remained in PJ Hall's shadow since his arrival, whereas Hall is one of the ACC's top bigs, and he has another year of college eligibility ahead of him.

The Clemson Tigers currently have nine scholarship players for the 2023-24 season, with Hall's status pending. Head coach Brad Brownell has announced that the team will be seeking replacements through the transfer portal.

At the same time, LSU basketball has witnessed three of its players enter the transfer portal. Point guard Justice "Juice" Hill, forward Kendal Coleman, and forward Corneilous Williams have all submitted paperwork to move on. Hill played in 30 games this past season, starting 17 of them, but he encountered issues with his performance and was also sidelined for personal reasons. Coleman played in 21 games off the bench, while Williams did not play at all, and he only joined the team as a walk-on transfer from Temple University last December. With three players leaving, LSU's head coach Matt McMahon will have to work on acquiring transfer recruits to fill the holes left by his former players.