Western Mississippi was hit by a tornado on Friday, with at least two towns, Rolling Fork and Silver City, affected. Reports suggest that the tornado damaged homes and buildings, had a devastating impact on power lines, and downed many trees. While Mississippi’s Emergency Management Agency has stated that there have been no reports of injuries or fatalities, that situation may change, given reports of gas leaks and other hazardous situations. The National Guard is now on the ground to assess the situation. Hospitals in Vicksburg, Jackson, and Greenville have started treating patients injured by the storm, and social media reports indicate that private vehicles have also carried injured people to facilities in Vicksburg and Belzoni. Meanwhile, the impact of the storm has seen more than 20,000 homes and businesses in Mississippi lose power. Late on Friday night, the National Weather Service issued tornado emergency warnings, warning of “large and destructive" tornadoes in the area. Alabama and Tennessee are also preparing for possible tornadoes overnight that threaten to knock out power across the region.

Former US President Donald Trump kicked off his 2024 presidential campaign in Waco, Texas, with a rally that felt more like a call to arms against his prosecutors than an actual campaign rally. Trump, who has been investigated for alleged campaign finance violations and for masterminding a plot to overturn the 2020 election, described the investigations against him as being "straight out of the Stalinist Russia horror show."

In his signature speech style, Trump rambled on about his "enemies" who were "desperate to stop us," and how "2024 is the final battle, it's going to be the big one." He then launched into a tirade against Democrats, socialists, warmongers, and the media while defending the insurrectionists who stormed the Capitol on January 6th, saying that they will be "vindicated" in the end.

While Trump fired up his base, critics called the rally's timing during the 30th anniversary of a deadly massacre in Waco, Texas, where members of a religious sect were killed after a raid by federal agents, as a nod to his far-right supporters. However, if the crowd in Waco is any indication of Trump's remaining popularity among Texas Republicans, it will be difficult for any other presidential contender to best him. The question remains, is Donald Trump's 2024 presidential campaign rally a sign of impending doom or will he actually have a chance of getting elected in the next presidential race?

Senator Mitch McConnell, the minority leader of the Senate, has been released from inpatient rehabilitation following a fall earlier this month that resulted in a concussion and a minor rib fracture. The senator from Kentucky had been hospitalized previously, but was released earlier this week to continue rehab. McConnell's spokesperson announced on Saturday that he would now be continuing his recovery from home, though did not state how long he would need to do so. McConnell's absence in the Senate has been felt in earnest, particularly as the recovery of the some of the newly-confirmed Biden administration's nominations will be helped by his return. Minority Whip John Thune has been helping to lead the GOP during McConnell's absence. McConnell himself has continued to keep tabs on Congressional business, frequently texting with colleagues and even discussing with Governor Jim Justice (R-WV) about his possible entry into the West Virginia Senate race. In the statement he released on Saturday, McConnell thanked everyone for their well-wishes and stated he hopes to return to the Senate soon, however again without giving a specific time-frame.

Fourteen-year-old Scottie Dean Morris, who had been missing since 16 March, has been found safe by police in Eaton, Indiana. Concerns arose for the boy's safety after his parents forced him to wear a t-shirt with "I'm a liar" written on it in marker pen. Police released a distressing image of the boy in the shirt as part of the search effort, which led to his discovery just five minutes away from where he went missing. Morris has been taken to a hospital for precautionary checks after which he will be placed in a safe environment with the help of Delaware County Child Protective Services. The family of the teenager is cooperating with the investigation, which continues. Morris' disappearance prompted a state-wide search, drawing attention to Indiana's problems with missing children. In 2020, 18,000 children were reported missing across the US state – a figure that equates to around 2% of the state population.

President Joe Biden authorized an airstrike in Syria against Iranian-affiliated facilities after a suspected drone strike targeted a facility housing US personnel in the country, which killed an American contractor and wounded five US service members. Biden stated that the airstrikes were conducted to protect and defend the safety of US personnel and partners and to deter Iran and Iran-backed militia groups from conducting attacks on them. The retaliatory airstrikes by American F-15 fighter jets killed 19 fighters in eastern Syria, including three Syrian troops, 11 pro-government militia members, and five non-Syrian fighters. The exchanges resulted in one of the deadliest clashes between US and Iran-aligned forces in years, with Iran-backed militants firing 10 missiles that narrowly missed a US base in northeast Syria but hit a civilian house, injuring two women and two children. The US and Iran are now engaged in a tit-for-tat response, escalating tensions in the Middle East. Biden emphasized that the US does not seek conflict with Iran, but Republicans criticized his response as weak, with Sen. Joni Ernst stating that the Biden administration's doctrine of appeasement has cost American lives and emboldened adversaries.

On Friday night, a deadly explosion rocked the R.M. Palmer Company chocolate plant in West Reading, Pennsylvania. Building 2 of the plant was leveled, and Building 1 was damaged. While the cause of the explosion is still unknown, the blast has already claimed three lives and injured eight people, while four remain missing. Over the weekend, search and rescue crews have been combing through the rubble in a desperate search for survivors, but the likelihood of finding them alive is quickly diminishing. Loved ones continue to cling to hope, however, and are waiting for any news of their missing family and friends. One man hasn't heard from his sister since she started her job at the factory a few months ago. Leann Kock is desperate for any news of her father-in-law's brother, who worked at the plant and is still unaccounted for.

The explosion, which could be heard for miles, has left an entire community reeling. Mayor Samantha Kaag has promised to investigate the explosion and take every possible detail into account to make sure it never happens again. Meanwhile, the R.M. Palmer Company has expressed its anguish over the tragedy and said it is trying to reach out to its employees despite phone and email failures after the blast. The company, which employs 850 people, was founded in 1948 by Richard M. Palmer Sr. and is known for selling a variety of chocolates, including bunnies.

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced on state television his plan to station tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus, claiming that it was in response to Britain's decision to send armor-piercing rounds containing depleted uranium to Ukraine. Belarus has long been requesting these weapons, and Putin stated that their storage facilities would be constructed in Belarus by July 1. However, Putin also insisted that Russia would not be violating any international nuclear obligations by doing so. The United States and its allies have expressed concern over the increased proliferation of nuclear weapons, especially with regard to their potential use in battle. TNWs are nuclear weapons with tactical applications that can be used to achieve specific battlefield goals, and Russia has a vast arsenal of such weapons, far greater than that of the United States, with around 2,000 operational tactical nuclear warheads. This move by Putin has worsened tensions with the West and heightened the risk of nuclear conflict, with Russian and NATO military forces on high alert.

Amid increasing concerns over national security threats and data privacy breaches, TikTok CEO, Shou Zi Chew, was grilled by members of both parties at a recent House Committee for Energy and Commerce hearing. While government officials around the world have banned the official use of the app and surveillance worries about ByteDance's cooperation with the Chinese government abound, no country has yet to make moves to ban the app entirely. In response to potential talk of a sweeping ban on TikTok, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez took to the social media platform to voice her concerns. The New York representative called such a move an unprecedented one and pointed out that the US has no significant privacy protection laws on the books. While sympathetic to concerns surrounding TikTok, the outspoken Democrat argued that the solution should be to actually protect private data and address the issue, rather than outright bans. In light of this move, frustrated creators on TikTok poked fun at Congress members' grasp of tech knowledge, less than impressed by the combative and confused tone of the hearing.

Denver International Airport CEO Phillip Washington has withdrawn his nomination to lead the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) after facing criticism from Senate Republicans. President Joe Biden nominated Washington last year, but the Senate Commerce Committee recently delayed a vote on the nomination due to some lawmakers' outstanding questions. Republican leader Senator Ted Cruz was among those who opposed Washington's appointment, claiming that he needed a waiver from rules requiring civilian leadership to head the FAA because he had retired from the US Army in 2000. However, the Department of Transportation had already issued a letter stating that Washington was fully qualified and did not require a waiver. The FAA has faced several safety incidents recently, including a pilot messaging database outage that halted airport flights for two hours and a series of near collisions involved in six serious runway incursions since January. The withdrawal of Washington's nomination is a setback for the government amid a closely divided Senate.

Honduras has cut diplomatic ties with Taiwan, leaving the country recognized by only 13 states. The Honduran Foreign Ministry announced it recognizes "only one China in the world". The announcement comes amid rising tensions between Beijing and the US, including increasing assertiveness toward self-ruled Taiwan. Taiwan's Foreign Minister Joseph Wu said that Honduras President Xiomara Castro was always interested in establishing ties with China before the presidential election, and that it ended its relationship with Honduras to "safeguard its sovereignty and dignity". The de facto US embassy in Taiwan, however, warns that China often makes promises in exchange for recognition that remain unfulfilled. As Honduras moves forward with ending ties with Taiwan in favor of China, the US emphasizes its commitment to deepen and expand engagement with Taiwan. Taiwan is a reliable, democratic partner, and its partnerships globally provide "significant and sustainable benefits to the citizens of those countries". The severance of ties with Taiwan comes at a time when China is seeking to expand its influence in the Central American region, raising concerns for the US regarding China's growing footprint in its backyard.

An explosion at R.M. Palmer Co. chocolate factory in West Reading, Pennsylvania, on Friday afternoon has left two people dead, with five still missing. Rescue teams using dogs and imaging equipment worked overnight to search the rubble for signs of life. The blast destroyed one building and caused significant damage to another one with apartments, which has been displaced. The cause of the explosion remains under investigation, said the Chief of Police Wayne Holben. UGI Utilities reported that damages from the explosion caused gas to leak that fed the fire. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro visited the site on Saturday, pledging the state's support in the borough's response to the disaster. Meanwhile, West Reading Mayor Samantha Kaag has declared a state of emergency for the borough to accelerate the allocation of resources to the scene. Investigation teams are exploring all possible causes of the explosion, including a suspected gas leak. Reading Hospital said it had received ten patients, of which two were in fair condition, and one patient transferred to another medical facility, with the others either released or in the process of getting discharged.

Ukraine is gearing up for a new counteroffensive against Russia, but its military is facing a recruitment challenge. According to The Wall Street Journal, a growing number of young men are trying to avoid being drafted to fight against Russia. Despite strong support for the Ukrainian military effort, many potential recruits are reluctant to join up. This might be why authorities have started to rely on enlistment officers who wear military clothing and give out summons in public spaces, such as cafes and restaurants. Meanwhile, some men are avoiding these places for fear of being drafted. Others are taking more drastic measures, including fleeing the country. The Journal reports that more than 9,000 men left Ukraine in 2022 using documents for volunteers and aid workers without coming back within the allowed timeframe. One man said he spent almost $10,000 on three different schemes to leave, the last of which – posing as an aid worker - worked. The issue of draft evasion comes as Ukraine prepares to launch a new counteroffensive to push Russia back, following months of stalemate.

At least two migrants were found dead in a shipping container on a train near Uvalde, Texas, on March 24, 2023. Authorities received a 911 call from an unknown party stating that "numerous undocumented immigrants 'suffocating' inside of a train car." Upon stopping the train, officials discovered 15 individuals in two train cars, including 12 in a shipping container, where two people died, four were airlifted to San Antonio, and six were transported to local hospitals. The other three were found in a hopper car that's typically used to transport bulk items. The US Border Patrol stopped the train which was operating on Union Pacific tracks northeast of the town of Knippa. Homeland Security Investigations is looking into the possibility of human smuggling, according to officials. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas tweeted, saying that "smugglers are callous and only care about making a profit." This heartbreaking event is another example of the increasing risks being taken by migrants to evade detection and cross into the United States.

Former President Donald Trump has declared that it is "very unlikely" that Florida Governor Ron DeSantis will be his running mate in the 2024 presidential election. Despite endorsing DeSantis in his first run for governor in 2018, Trump has since nicknamed him "Ron DeSanctimonious" and "Meatball Ron". Trump has also criticized DeSantis' record, claiming he is "bad on COVID" and has a poor record on Social Security, Medicare, and education. DeSantis has not yet announced his presidential candidacy, and some insiders are concerned that Trump's criticisms are taking a toll on public perception of the governor.

In addition, reports have emerged that anyone working for DeSantis' presidential campaign will be blackballed from working for Trump's campaign or in the White House. One Trump insider reportedly told RealClearPolitics that "it's a time for choosing". However, DeSantis has not been drawn into a public feud with Trump, instead focusing on achieving conservative victories in Florida. Critics have urged individuals to ignore Trump's attacks, pointing out that he cannot handle being ignored.

Russia plans to station tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus, according to President Vladimir Putin. Putin revealed in an interview with Russia 1 that Moscow will complete the construction of a storage facility for these weapons by July. Moscow has already transferred an Iskander short-range missile system to Belarus. This system has the capability of holding both nuclear and conventional warheads. Putin also stated that Moscow has helped Belarus convert 10 aircraft to make them capable of carrying tactical nuclear warheads, and will train pilots to fly them early next month. Belarus is one of Russia's closest allies, and it helped Russia launch its initial invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Since then, fears of Belarus being used as a launching pad for future offensives have been rampant. Putin has used escalating rhetoric since the invasion, warning of the increasing threat of nuclear war while suggesting Russia may abandon its "no first use" policy. Belarus has not had any nuclear weapons since the early 1990s, and it agreed to transfer all Soviet-era weapons of mass destruction to Russia after gaining independence from the Soviet Union. Putin assured that Moscow would retain control over any tactical nuclear weapons stationed in Belarus.

Honduras has officially severed diplomatic ties with Taiwan, recognizing Beijing as "the only legitimate government that represents all of China". The announcement was made by the country’s foreign ministry on Twitter and China's CCTV, and has left Taiwan recognised by only 13 sovereign states. The move comes after rising tensions between the US and China over China’s increasingly assertive position toward self-ruled Taiwan. China refuses to maintain diplomatic relations with any country that recognizes Taiwan, and has spent much of the past 40 years attempting to isolate the self-ruled island with offers of economic support. Honduras President Xiomara Castro had previously announced plans to establish diplomatic ties with China, signalling the end of Honduras’ relationship with Taiwan. Taiwan foreign minister Joseph Wu said the country cut ties with Honduras to "safeguard its sovereignty and dignity". Taiwan will be closing its embassy and consulate in Honduras following the move.

In a highly anticipated super-middleweight bout, David Benavidez took on Caleb Plant at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. After 12 rounds of intense action, Benavidez was declared the winner by unanimous decision. The judges scored the fight 115-113, 116-112, and 117-111 in favor of Benavidez.

Although Plant started strong and was able to avoid some of Benavidez's power punches in the early rounds, the Mexican fighter stepped up his game in the later rounds and started landing more punishing blows. Plant, who had been knocked down in a previous fight with Canelo Alvarez, managed to stay on his feet throughout the entirety of the fight, but was unable to do enough to earn the judges' favor.

With this victory, Benavidez not only improves his unblemished record to 27-0 with 23 KO's, but he also claimed the WBC interim super-middleweight championship. He wasted no time in calling out Canelo Alvarez, hoping for a rematch with the undisputed super-middleweight champion. The win was celebrated by Benavidez and his supporters, who praised his skills and resilience in overcoming a tough opponent in Plant.

This fight was five years in the making, with both fighters showing a dislike for each other, and the build-up to the fight was filled with trash-talking and aggressive posturing. This victory will likely propel Benavidez to new heights in the sport, while Plant will need to regroup and prepare for his next opponent.

The MGM Grand Garden will play host to a packed boxing card featuring a string of top-level talent, with viewers eagerly anticipating Benavidez versus Plant. But for some, the event holds a more personal significance: it reunites two prominent boxing families with deep Arizona roots. David Benavidez, who is in the main event against Caleb Plant, hails from Phoenix and comes from a long line of boxers. He is trained by his father, José, and is joined on the MGM Grand stage by two fighters from the Ramos family of Casa Grande, who are trained by the father of one of them, Jesus Ramos. The Benavidez family has fought in big Arizona venues before, and their wins on the night would change their careers' trajectory.

22-year-old junior middleweight contender, Jesus Ramos Jr. (19-0) from Casa Grande, will also be in action, fighting Michigan's undefeated fighter Joseph Spencer (16-0). The match is expected to determine who will move on to the next level, and who will take a step back. Ramos Jr. has been on everyone's radar for a while, with frustrated fans looking for big fights for the boxing sensation. Meanwhile, Linden's "Small Town Soldier" Joey Spencer will also feature in the co-feature event as he faces Jesus Alejandro Ramos. With both boxers boasting undefeated records, this fight will be the pinnacle of Spencer's career thus far, and he knows the challenge that Ramos represents, thanks to his pedigree and fighting prowess.

Former IBF super-middleweight world champion, Caleb Plant, is set to face David Benavidez in what promises to be a grudge match this coming weekend. This will be his second fight since he lost his title to Canelo Alvarez. Plant had initially taken on Alvarez in his last fight and recorded a good opening round by winning all three judges' scorecards. However, the Mexican fighter took control of the match from the second round with his dominance in the ring, vicious combinations, and powerful left hook.

In the eleventh round, Alvarez caught Plant with a hard left hook which took him down for the first time in his career. Although Plant got back on his feet, Alvarez did not give him a chance to recover as he landed more powerful combinations that led to the knockout. Many fans and commentators alike were impressed with Plant's performance, but Alvarez's superior skills proved too much for him. Looking ahead to his match against Benavidez, Plant will be hoping to improve on his display against Alvarez and reclaim his spot at the top of the super-middleweight division.

David Benavidez is set to face-off against Caleb Plant on March 25, one of the most highly anticipated fights in recent times. While the pre-match coverage has been primarily focused on the fierce rivalry between the contenders, David's wife Karina Silva is also making waves. The two have been together since 2019, and Karina is a model and social influencer. She runs her businesses, including one that sells luxury shapewear. Silva has also opened several clothing boutiques around Seattle, Washington, where she is based.

Although details about Karina's age, education, and place of birth are scarce, it is clear that she has been providing constant love and support for her husband throughout his boxing career. David, who became the WBC Super Middleweight Champion at the age of 21, has been undefeated since then with a record of 26-0. His younger brother, Jose Benavidez Jr, is also an accomplished boxer, having had an unbeaten streak of 27 fights before his first loss against Terence Crawford in 2018. Both brothers attribute their success to the guidance and training of their father and coach, Jose Benavidez Sr.

Cory Sandhagen continued his impressive run of form in the UFC bantamweight division with a dominant five-round split decision win over Marlon Vera on Saturday. Despite the judge's split decision, there was no doubt that Sandhagen emerged as the clear winner. The stats tell the story, with Sandhagen out-landing Vera in total strikes 193 to 71 and converting three takedowns. He executed his game plan to perfection, taking Vera down early and using feints, footwork, and takedowns to evade Vera's attempts to come back at him in later rounds. Sandhagen is quickly becoming a standout in a crowded bantamweight division and has now positioned himself as a legitimate contender for the title. Speaking after the fight, Sandhagen called for a No. 1 contender fight against Merab Dvalishvili, who is on a nine-fight win streak. "I would feel so slimy if I asked for a title shot before Merab," said Sandhagen. "Merab is an absolute animal. I respect him a ton. I want that No. 1 spot. Merab, you're hungry, I got something for you to eat and it don't taste good." It remains to be seen whether Sandhagen will fight Dvalishvili next, but he has certainly made a strong case for himself as one of the most exciting fighters in the UFC.

In a move that has raised concerns among neighbouring countries, Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced plans to station tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus. Putin argues that the move will not violate nuclear non-proliferation agreements and is similar to the US stationing its weapons in Europe. There will be a storage facility for these weapons in Belarus by July, and a small number of Iskander tactical missile systems that can launch nuclear weapons have already been transferred there. However, Putin doesn’t mention exactly when the weapons will be transferred to Belarus. Moscow will still retain control of the arms. This will be the first time that Russia will have based nuclear arms outside the country since the mid-1990s. 

Belarus is a firm Kremlin ally and supporter of the invasion of Ukraine. Moving tactical nuclear weapons is not only important to Belarus for its security concerns, but it also supports Moscow’s military ambition and strengthens its hold over Belarus. It is feared that this move will fuel military tensions in Eastern Europe. Meanwhile, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has renewed his plea for more military support from Western allies. Eighteen countries have signed an agreement to supply the war-torn country with at least one million artillery shells over the next year. However, in an interview with a Japanese newspaper, Zelensky stated that Ukraine could not launch a counter-offensive in the east of the country until further ammunition arrived.

The former principal of Tallahassee Classical School in Florida, Hope Carrasquilla, resigned after a lesson on Michelangelo's statue of David was given to sixth graders without notifying parents, according to the school board's chairman, Barney Bishop III. This, along with “other issues” led to her resignation, Bishop said, clarifying that Carrasquilla was not let go because of the lesson in question. Bishop stated that the school board had not followed procedure for notifying parents of the upcoming lesson, and that the school had no intention of banning the statue. Last year, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed the Parental Rights in Education bill which states that “the parent of each public school student has the right to receive effective communication from the school principal as to the manner in which instructional materials are used to implement the school's curricular objectives". 

As a public charter school, Bishop explained that “parents decide what their children get to learn” and that the school was in agreement with the Governor’s education policies. The incident has sparked a debate about the censorship of art in schools and parental rights.

The chairmen of three House committees have doubled down on their efforts to intervene in the hush money investigation into Donald Trump, ahead of possible criminal charges against the former president. The letter from the chairmen of the House Judiciary, Oversight and Administration committees to Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg argued that they now feel compelled to consider whether Congress should take legislative action on three separate issues to "protect former and/or current Presidents from politically motivated prosecutions by state and local officials." This came after the three Republicans initially called on Bragg earlier this week to testify before their committees and criticised his investigation into Trump as an "unprecedented abuse of prosecutorial authority."

Bragg is investigating Trump's alleged role in a scheme to pay adult-film star Stormy Daniels before the 2016 presidential election. The chairmen claimed in Saturday's letter that Bragg had not disputed "the central allegations at issue" - that his office is under "political pressure from left-wing activists and former prosecutors" and is "planning to use an alleged federal campaign finance violation, previously declined by federal prosecutors, as a vehicle to extend the statute of limitations on an otherwise misdemeanor offense and indict for the first time in history a former President of the United States." The potential criminal indictment of a former president and 2024 presidential candidate "implicates substantial federal interests, particularly in a jurisdiction where trial-level judges also are popularly elected."

The Moroccan national football team, also known as the Atlas Lions, is set to kick off their summer 2021 schedule with two friendlies in early June against Ghana and Burkina Faso.

The matches are seen as vital for the team to prepare for the upcoming FIFA Arab World Cup in December as well as the Africa Cup of Nations in January 2022.

Morocco coach Vahid Halilhodzic is expected to field a strong squad in these matches, including experienced players like Hakim Ziyech, Youssef En-Nesyri, and Achraf Hakimi, as well as some up-and-coming talents such as Amine Harit and Sofyan Amrabat.

The Atlas Lions are currently ranked 35th in the FIFA world rankings and have had a successful run in their recent matches, including victories over Ivory Coast and Tunisia and a draw against Senegal.

In contrast, Ghana and Burkina Faso have struggled to keep up their form, with both teams having failed to qualify for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations.

Despite this, however, the Atlas Lions are not taking any chances and are eager to test their tactics and skills against these opponents before the big tournaments later this year.

Football fans around the world will be eagerly watching these friendlies, hoping to catch a glimpse of the Atlas Lions' game plan for the upcoming international competitions.