As residents of Mississippi begin to pick up the pieces after deadly tornado-spawning storms, some experts are attributing the increase of such natural disasters to climate change. Multiple rounds of storms continue to be possible throughout the day, with parts of the South and Midwest under an enhanced risk of severe weather. The storms on Friday night have killed at least 26 people and injured dozens more, leading President Joe Biden to approve a disaster declaration for counties in Mississippi early Sunday morning. "Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster," a White House release said. This devastation comes as statistics continue to show the increase in natural disasters occurring across the globe due to human-induced climate change. While it is too soon to definitively say that the tornadoes in Mississippi are a direct result of climate change, it highlights the urgent need to tackle climate change and its impacts on our planet.

Israeli forces conducted raids in the West Bank today which led to the detention of four wanted Palestinians and seizure of firearms. The Israeli military said that Israeli Border Police officers arrested three men in Nur Shams, a refugee camp near the Palestinian city of Tulkarem, for suspected involvement in terror activities. An M16 assault rifle was also captured during the operation, in which gunshots were heard. No officers were hurt, according to the Israel Defense Forces. In a separate incident, the soldiers apprehended one more wanted Palestinian and seized a handgun near Hebron in the southern West Bank. The detained individuals were interrogated by the Shin Bet security agency. The military operation took place amid Israeli lawmakers calling for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to hold back on a judicial overhaul, whilst hundreds of reservists have vowed to boycott regular training missions. Netanyahu stressed in a televised address on Thursday the significance of pushing through the legal changes, despite the significant backlash.

The possibility of a TikTok ban or forced sale in the US seems to be escalating after last week’s appearances by CEO Shou Zi Chew before Congress. Republican Chairman Rep. Mike Gallagher and Democratic ranking member Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi both agree that the risks posed by the social media app to the security of personal data and national security warrant such actions. Furthermore, Chu’s remarks failed to allay bipartisan concerns over potential data privacy issues and Chinese government intrusion, which increased the likelihood that Congress will take action.

Gallagher and Krishnamoorthi co-sponsored legislation that would transfer TikTok’s ownership from Chinese parent company ByteDance to an American firm or outright ban the app. However, China considers these proposals overreach and unfair, launching accusations of discrimination since China heavily restricts the use of the internet in its country. Nevertheless, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy announced that the chamber would be “moving forward with legislation” on TikTok, and the risk of a ban or sale seems to be increasing.

The primary concerns regarding TikTok involve data harvesting, the spread of misinformation, and the safety of minors. Critics argue that the same scrutiny has not applied to similar social media platforms. Advocates for users’ data privacy argue that the government should focus on developing robust privacy and data protection laws rather than banning individual companies.

Phil Washington, President Joe Biden's pick to lead the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), has withdrawn his nomination just days after the Senate Commerce Committee postponed the vote to advance his nomination to the Senate floor. Washington, the current CEO of Denver International Airport, has no prior experience in the aviation industry, having only taken up the post nearly two years ago. His lack of aviation experience was a major concern among committee members and he had faced steady criticism from Republicans, which had ultimately led to his withdrawal.

The aviation system has been showing signs of strain with an uptick of near-collisions on runways, making it increasingly imperative for the FAA to have a confirmed leader. Unions representing 75,000 flight attendants had backed Washington's nomination, as had some former agency leaders who believed that his role as an outsider could have been a significant benefit in seeking to reform an agency that has faced major struggles in recent years. The White House has pledged to swiftly consider and confirm a new nominee for the position.

Lithuania’s Foreign Ministry has called for new sanctions against Russia as a response to its plans to store tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus. The ministry regards this as yet another attempt by Putin and Belarusian leader Lukashenko to threaten their neighbours and destabilize Europe. The plan has been described as "dangerous and irresponsible" by NATO, and Ukraine has accused Russia of taking Belarus as a nuclear hostage. Avdiivka, in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region, is being urged to evacuate as the town’s utilities will be shut off due to Russian shelling. The town is being wiped off the face of the earth, and its residents will not be able to charge their phones due to the closure of the mobile towers.

Despite Western powers warning Putin against his nuclear rhetoric, they see no reason to change their own strategic nuclear positions. The United States has not seen any indication that Putin has moved any nuclear weapons around to Belarus. This rhetoric from Putin indicates that since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the Kremlin frequently turns towards nuclear saber-rattling in response to Western criticisms or perceived aggression.

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg has rejected a request by three Republican chairmen in the House of Representatives for more information related to the hush money probe, stating that "it is not appropriate for Congress to interfere with pending local investigations." The investigation, which centers around a $130,000 payment made during former President Donald Trump's 2016 campaign to adult film star Stormy Daniels, could lead to criminal charges for Trump. The three Republicans argued that the case involves substantial federal interests, as it could result in the indictment of a former president, which Bragg found to be without merit. This marks the first investigatory action taken by the committees after House Speaker Kevin McCarthy pledged to investigate those who have been investigating Trump. Trump has been critical of Bragg, predicting falsely on social media that he would be arrested last Tuesday. Tacopina, Trump's lawyer, denied that the prediction was fabricated and added that Trump had used "personal funds" to make the hush money payment. If indicted, Trump will be the first sitting or former US president to face criminal charges.

Former President Donald Trump held a rally on Saturday in Waco, Texas, marking the beginning of his 2024 presidential campaign in a state he won in both 2016 and 2020. Thousands of Texans, and some from outside the state, waited in long lines to see Trump speak. However, during his signature speech style, Trump vacillated from claiming that he would lead the entire GOP to smashing wins to voicing suspicions of the US election system and casting doubt on it. Trump also attacked the Biden administration during his speech, which lasted approximately 95 minutes. The former president steered clear of addressing the deadly Waco siege from nearly 30 years ago that experts in political violence fear may have shaped his decision to hold the rally there. Additionally, Trump denied having an affair with adult film star Stormy Daniels and railed against the Manhattan district attorney's office, which is investigating him for a possible indictment.

A tragic explosion rocked the R.M. Palmer Company at West Reading, resulting in the loss of three lives and leaving four individuals missing. Building 2 of the chocolate factory was leveled while Building 1 suffered damage. The cause of the explosion is yet unknown, and authorities have been continuously investigating to determine the reason behind the explosion. Eight other individuals sustained injuries, but the details of the same remain undisclosed. Ever since the blast, search and rescue crews have been putting in efforts to find any survivors, while their family members are clinging to the hope that their loved ones are still alive. Frankie Gonzalez is waiting for her sister, whom she hasn't heard from since Friday. Rosaliz Morales and her sister are still watching the search teams work, fervently hoping that their family friend, Judy, is found alive. They said that their aunt and niece were at the hospital, waiting for any news.

Meanwhile, West Reading locals gathered in prayer, clinging to each other with purple balloons and candles, holding up the company's motto, "Palmer Strong." Meanwhile, the company issued a statement, mentioning that they are "devastated" by the tragedy, focusing on supporting the families of the employees. The entire community is shaken by the loss of lives, and the search for the missing individuals continues relentlessly.

Ron Holland was the center of attention on Sunday morning as McDonald's All-American Game activities kicked off with a practice. The number six ranked recruit for the class of 2023 showed a level of intensity that raised the bar for the rest of the West team. He made plays all over the floor, hit clutch corner threes, and physically dominated big guys to grab rebounds. These feats earned him a spot on the All-American McDonald Game, which he was honored for on Wednesday.

According to Duncanville High interim coach Neiman Ford, Ron Holland is the "most decorated, most accomplished high school basketball player in the history of Texas basketball." Having never lost a playoff game and helped the USA's U17 team win two gold medals outside school, he exhibits an unbeatable drive and potential to become the next basketball superstar. Holland's goals don't stop at the NBA. He aspires to become one of the greatest of all time, a dream that may become a reality given all the evidence of his success thus far. Holland's talent and undeniable skill set may make him the MVP, worthy of the distinction that previous All-American McDonald MVPs have obtained like, Kobe Bryant, Magic Johnson, and LeBron James. Keep your eyes on Ron Holland, a name soon to become a staple of basketball greatness.

Diego Cocca, the new coach of the Mexican National Team, will lead his team on Thursday against Suriname in the Concacaf Nations League, aiming to claim the top spot in Group A. With a draw at least, Mexico could secure a place in the 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup. However, Suriname is still in the hunt for an automatic berth to the Gold Cup and needs to win by a considerable margin of victory, along with a Jamaica win in Mexico on the final matchday.

Mexico's performance in the Qatar 2022 World Cup, where they failed to advance from the group stage, has led to high expectations from fans. Cocca has called 34 players to face the Nations League matches against Suriname and Jamaica. The team's debut match against Suriname will also mark the debut of Cocca as a head coach.

Mexican goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa, the most-capped goalkeeper in Mexico's history, will be absent in the first game. Cocca chose to take a group of mainly Mexico-based players to Paramaribo for Thursday's game, leaving Ochoa to prepare for the home Nations League encounter with Jamaica on Sunday. Santos Laguna's Carlos Acevedo or Tijuana's Jose Antonio Rodriguez will start in goal against Suriname, with Acevedo likely to get the nod due to his international experience.

Seven-year-old Adelyn Spicer traveled with her mother from Missouri to Baton Rouge to watch the LSU women's basketball team and created a viral moment when she wrote a note to her role model, Angel Reese. Reese, known as LSU’s Bayou Barbie, gifted Adelyn a signed basketball and the meeting inspired the first grader to want to play basketball. Adelyn, who was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, finds inspiration in the girl-power aspect of the team and her role model's commitment to both sport and beauty. LSU's success this season, going 30-2, has generated excitement and engagement from alumni and fans alike, which was on display when they traveled to Greenville, South Carolina to cheer on the team as they prepare to play Utah in the Sweet 16. Kim Mulkey, head coach of the LSU Women's Basketball team, has brought excitement to the program and her commitment to greatness has earned her a nomination as a semifinalist for the Werner Ladder Naismith Women's Coach of the Year.

Early Saturday morning, severe thunderstorms began moving through Atlanta and north Georgia. The National Weather Service issued severe thunderstorm warnings for multiple counties, including Montgomery, Davidson, Sumner, Cheatham, Robertson, Putnam, Monroe, and Butts. The storms brought damaging winds, heavy rain, lightning strikes, and even the possibility of a brief tornado. Thousands of people are without power in North Georgia, according to Georgia Power's outage map, and Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport held all inbound flights for a short time. Channel 2 Action News viewers in Spalding County shared a video of lightning moving through the area, and several other videos from different locations showed the destructive forces of the storms.

The storms may affect Tennessee, as well, where the National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm warning for northeastern Montgomery County, northwestern Davidson County, central Sumner County, northeastern Cheatham County, and Robertson County. Significant tree damage and damage to mobile homes, roofs, and sheds are possible, and residents are advised to move to an interior room on the building's lowest floor.

As the storms continue to move east of metro Atlanta and north Georgia, it is essential to stay vigilant and prepare for the worst. Stay tuned to local news updates and download apps, such as the 11Alive News app, to receive alerts for the latest weather developments.

The National Weather Service in Nashville has issued a severe thunderstorm warning for several counties in Tennessee, including Northeastern Montgomery County, Northwestern Davidson County, Central Sumner County, Northeastern Cheatham County, and Robertson County. The warning is in effect until 11:15 pm CT, with severe thunderstorms moving east at 65 mph. Wind gusts of up to 70 mph are possible, which could cause significant tree damage and damage to mobile homes, roofs, and outbuildings. A tornado watch is also in effect until 3:00 am CT for Middle Tennessee and Clarksville-Montgomery County.

Residents are advised to move to the lowest floor of their building's interior room for safety. The severe weather could particularly affect mobile homes, roofs, and sheds, which are likely to sustain damage. Firefighters have already been busy in California after days of heavy rain, rescuing cows and other farm animals from deep mud. Video footage on social media showed wind funneling off roofs and hurling debris into the air, leaving at least one person injured in the tornado. People are urged not to drive through flooded roads and stay informed about the latest weather alerts.

Leandro Bolmaro is now a free agent after getting waived by the Utah Jazz. The Minnesota Timberwolves originally acquired Bolmaro as part of a trade package that landed them All-Star center, Rudy Gobert. Bolmaro, a 22-year-old versatile wing, only played seven games for the Salt Lake City Stars during the 2022-23 G-League season. Nonetheless, his potential made him worth a first-round pick in 2020. With the Timberwolves lacking picks in the upcoming draft, Bolmaro could be a cost-effective and talented option to sign for the 2023-24 NBA roster.

Meanwhile, the Timberwolves are coming off a well-deserved victory over the New York Knicks, which proved their resilience this season. Although Minnesota has underperformed against weaker teams, they have shown that they can bounce back after feeling counted out. The Timberwolves now face the Atlanta Hawks, who are only one game ahead of the Toronto Raptors for eighth seed in the Eastern Conference. As for the Western Conference, Minnesota is a half-game behind the Dallas Mavericks in the playoff race.

In the end, the Timberwolves’ decision to re-sign Bolmaro could play a significant role in their future success. Bolmaro has not had enough playtime to fully prove himself in the NBA, but his potential remains promising. With the team lacking picks in the upcoming draft, re-signing Bolmaro could bring the Timberwolves one step closer to their ultimate goals.

Several hundred Ameren Missouri customers experienced power outages during the storm on Friday afternoon. Hail was also present throughout the region. Camden County has the highest number of customers affected, with 1,283 customers experiencing outages. Morgan County follows behind at 1,014 customers and 565 customers are affected in Cole County. An Ameren spokesperson stated that high winds were blowing trees and tree limbs into power lines, causing these outages. Crews are working tirelessly to safely restore the outages. Miller County had 148 outages at one point and these were caused by trees falling into power lines. Boone Electric Cooperative has reported around three outages and total outages reached up to 26. It is crucial for customers to have a reliable way to stay weather-aware as high winds are expected with gusts of up to 60 miles per hour. The Missouri State Emergency Operations Plan and National Guard have been activated, following Governor Mike Parson signing an executive order. The tornado watch is in effect until 8 p.m, and all Missourians are urged to take precautions and heed weather warnings to ensure their safety.

A Tornado Watch has been issued for parts of the Tennessee Valley until 3 AM, including all of north Alabama and a few Tennessee counties. A strong line of storms is expected to track eastward through the area overnight with the capacity to produce a tornado, damaging winds, and heavy rain. Although the greater threat is high winds and locally heavy winds, the storms will likely arrive in northeast Alabama around 1 am. The Tornado Watch also includes Giles, Franklin, and Lincoln Tennessee counties. At 106 AM CDT, a Severe Thunderstorm Warning was issued until 1:30 AM CDT for parts of northern Marshall County, southwestern Jackson County, southeastern Madison County, and central DeKalb County. The severe thunderstorms are expected to cause damage to roofs, siding, and trees with the possibility of hail and 60 mph wind gusts. The National Weather Service urges residents to move to a lower level in a building's interior for safety. A Wind Advisory also remains in effect until 7 AM CDT Saturday for portions of north, northeast, and northwest Alabama and southern middle Tennessee.

In a recent appearance on The All The Smoke podcast with Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson, NBA legend Charles Barkley discussed the end of his former friendship with Michael Jordan. Barkley explained that he had criticized Jordan's performance as owner of the Charlotte Hornets and that this led to the explosive conversation that ended their close relationship. He went on to say that it’s now up to Jordan to decide if they’ll ever be able to mend their friendship. This isn't the first time Barkley has called out Jordan, as he previously said that Jordan's greatness doesn't give him “the right to be a jerk” during an interview with 60 Minutes.

Barkley also discussed the sensitivity of current NBA stars, particularly Kevin Durant, who he referred to as a “miserable person” that can’t be pleased. Barkley’s no-holds-barred critiques have earned him a reputation as a bold commentator, and his willingness to speak his mind on and off the court has continued to earn him attention.

Gary Payton II, who was acquired by the Golden State Warriors in February, has yet to play for the reigning champions due to a core muscle injury. However, Payton has been ramping up his on-court activities, including shooting, and the team announced that his workload is expected to intensify in the coming days. The Warriors hope that this positive development will lead to Payton's return before the regular season ends on April 9th. Coach Steve Kerr remains optimistic, saying that Payton is "doing well" and that "there's definitely hope and optimism that he'll be able to play at some point."

Although there is no clear timeline for his return, Dr. Nirav Pandya of UC San Francisco predicts that Payton could be back in around three weeks, given the nature of his injury. With four regular-season games left on the schedule, Payton's return could provide the team with a much-needed defensive lift amid a tight Western Conference race. Despite missing the first 35 games of the season, Payton played 14 of the last 16 games for the Trail Blazers. He was a key player in the Warriors' title run last year and could prove to be a valuable asset once he is fully recovered.

On Sunday night, Steph Curry made NBA history as he moved up on the all-time assists list in the Golden State Warriors' game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Curry was tied with Hall of Famer Larry Bird for 47th with 5,695 assists, and he only needed one to move ahead of Bird for sole possession of the spot. Also, Curry is closing in on passing Dwyane Wade for 46th with 5,701 assists in total. Although Curry is widely seen as the greatest shooter in NBA history, he is also a talented passer who has averaged 6.5 assists per contest for his career. In the game between the Warriors and the Timberwolves, Curry hit an epic no-look three-pointer despite not making any three pointers earlier in the game. Despite his age, at 35 years old, Curry is still considered one of the best players in the NBA, coming off leading the Warriors to their fourth title in the past eight seasons last summer. The Warriors have a 39-36 record in 75 games, making them the sixth seed in the Western Conference.

Rumors are swirling around Selena Gomez and Zayn Malik after they were reportedly spotted on a date in New York City. A TikTok video from a hostess at a restaurant claimed that the couple was seen walking in "hand in hand" and "making out" before being seated. Additionally, Gomez is one of Malik's few Instagram followers and was noted as the One Direction member she was most likely to want to kiss during an interview in 2010. While fans have been shipping a relationship between the two stars for some time, there has been no official confirmation of their romance.

The "Only Murders in the Building" actress was previously linked to Drew Taggart of The Chainsmokers while Malik had been in a high-profile relationship with Gigi Hadid, with whom he shares a child. Regardless of the validity of the rumors, fans are eager to see if the two will confirm their relationship and become the next power couple in Hollywood.

Amid concerns over Russia's moves to deploy tactical nuclear weapons in neighboring Belarus, Lithuania's foreign ministry has called for new sanctions against Moscow and Minsk. This comes as NATO has criticized Russia for its "dangerous and irresponsible" nuclear rhetoric. The move by Russia has also prompted Ukraine to call for an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council to oppose the Russian president's plans. Kyiv has described this move as "another provocative step" by Moscow that undermines "the international security system as a whole." NATO spokesperson, Oana Lungescu, dismissed the Russian president's statement as "totally misleading" while the EU foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, has cautioned Belarus against hosting Russian nuclear weapons on its territory. The Institute for Study of War, a Washington-based think tank, has said that Putin's tactical nuclear plan is part of an information campaign designed to heighten the West's fears of a nuclear escalation.

Late Saturday night, the second floor of an apartment building under the name Elm by Traverse Commons collapsed, leading to a dozen injuries. The incident occurred in Indiana County, White Township, in west central Pennsylvania, which is located around 66 miles northeast of Pittsburgh. The place is advertised as off-campus housing for Indiana University of Pennsylvania students, but it is not yet known if any of the affected individuals were students. Details of their conditions have not yet been determined, other than injuries ranging from minor to severe, as they were treated on the scene of the accident. The ones with severe injuries were taken to a nearby hospital for additional treatment. State police and Indiana Fire Association responded to the scene; the number of people inside the apartment at the time of the collapse is not clear. An investigation is currently underway to establish the trigger for the incident.

Coast Guard personnel were dispatched to Otter Creek in Bristol on Saturday afternoon after a chemical release there. The hazardous material came from a pipe rupture at Trinseo PLC, a chemical plant in the area. Approximately 8,100 gallons of latex finishing material, which is a water-soluble acrylic polymer solution, was released into the creek. Despite the rain that made recovery efforts more complicated, environmental experts have emphasized that the material shouldn't pose a threat to the public as it is similar to paint material found in most households. The estimated amount released will be updated as response and recovery efforts continue.

While there have been no reports of injured or affected wildlife from the incident, the City of Philadelphia has advised area residents to drink bottled water "out of caution" as the contamination occurred along a Delaware River tributary in Bristol Township, Bucks County, which provides water to more than 2 million people in Philadelphia, Montgomery, Delaware and Bucks counties. The Philadelphia Water Department is conducting testing to understand potential impacts to the public, though early indications have not revealed contamination.

Former President Donald Trump kicked off his 2024 presidential campaign on Saturday in Waco, Texas, with a speech that lasted for over an hour and a half, during which he railed against the Biden administration, his expected GOP opponent for the presidency, and the legal challenges he is facing. Trump denies having had an affair with adult film star Stormy Daniels and attacked Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, who received a threatening letter containing an undisclosed substance. Trump vowed to be an agent of "retribution" if re-elected as president and said, "Either the deep state destroys America, or we destroy the deep state." There were undertones of violence throughout his speech, and some lawmakers interpreted his repeated calls for protests against the investigations in New York and elsewhere as incitements to violence. Thousands of people, including vendors selling merchandise with slogans such as "FREE TRUMP" and "[EXPLETIVE] BIDEN," attended the rally. Trump did not mention the 1993 Waco siege, which left dozens dead, because some experts in political violence speculated that this incident might have informed his decision to hold the rally there.

Former President Donald Trump's insults at Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis during a rally in Waco, Texas, were met with silence from his usually adoring audience. Trump said DeSantis begged him for an endorsement with "tears in his eyes" during his gubernatorial campaign in 2018. Still, the audience was quieter than usual; only jeering once Trump's attention shifted to other public figures, such as Stormy Daniels and Michael Cohen. It is the latest in a series of jabs exchanged between Trump and DeSantis, both of whom are expected to be GOP frontrunners for the 2024 presidential nomination. Even though DeSantis hasn't officially announced his candidacy yet, he will likely pose a significant challenge if he chooses to run.

Trump also claimed that DeSantis was a "disciple" of former Speaker Paul Ryan, calling the Florida governor a "big fan" of Ryan. However, Trump's comments are unusual since he backed DeSantis during his campaign for governor and helped him win. The exchange comes amid an investigation into Trump’s alleged involvement in hush money payments to Daniels, where Trump could face up to four years in prison if convicted. Representatives for both Trump and DeSantis did not immediately respond to comment on this matter.