Texas Governor Greg Abbott received backlash on social media for posting a lighthearted tweet rather than issuing a public statement following a mass shooting that left five people dead in Cleveland, Texas. Three of the victims were female, including an eight-year-old boy, and were reportedly killed after asking their neighbor, 39-year-old Francisco Oropeza, to stop shooting in his front yard. Oropeza is currently at large and considered armed and dangerous. Abbott’s official Twitter account instead shared a photo of his dog with the caption “All smiles for the weekend” several hours after the shooting. Parents of victims from previous mass shootings in the state were among those criticizing Abbott’s response. The Governor’s office has not yet issued a statement. At least 174 mass shootings have occurred in the US so far this year, according to the Gun Violence Archive.

US President Joe Biden is set to make jokes and be the target of them at the White House Correspondents' Dinner this Saturday. The event is expected to be the largest social gathering in Washington, D.C. since the pandemic. It is where political and media elites observe their truce for a few hours as they share a meal and laughs. The dinner is meant to celebrate the First Amendment's guarantee of free speech and the free press. It is an opportunity for a prominent comedian to perform, with Roy Wood Jr. of "The Daily Show" taking the stage this year. However, the jokes tend to steal the headlines. This year's dinner is expected to be especially significant as it marks the restoration of the tradition of having both the president and vice president in attendance since 2016. As the last dinner before Donald Trump entered the White House had both the President and Vice President in attendance. With Vice President Kamala Harris joining Biden on stage, many guests are expected to attend. White House Correspondents Association President Tamara Keith says hundreds of people have already been turned away due to sold-out tickets.

Yosemite National Park is going through one of its most dangerous phases with floods caused due to heavy snowfall and extremely warm temperatures. On Friday night at 10 pm, most of the Yosemite Valley was closed with the forecasts predicting it will remain this way till Monday. The Merced River, which flows through the park, is forecast to become a flood by Sunday morning with a flood warning issued for Mariposa, Fresno, Tulare and Kings counties. The cause of the flood is an increase in temperature that causes a torrential amount of water from the Sierra Nevada range to surge downstream. With the rivers and streams’ cold and fast currents, it is highly dangerous to enter or approach them. During the closure, lodgings and campground reservations for several sites will be canceled and refunded automatically, with remaining sites to be accessed with caution. Visitors should expect limited hiking opportunities and heavy traffic congestion, which could cause delays in emergency response times. If traffic gets unmanageable, Western Yosemite Valley will also be closed.

An evacuation convoy organized by the U.S. government has reached the Sudanese port city of Port Sudan, carrying American citizens, foreign nationals, and locally-employed staff. The exact number of Americans on the convoy is currently unknown. The evacuation operation comes amid continued fighting between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, which has endangered civilians. The U.S. is assisting citizens and eligible persons with onward travel to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and is urging Americans not to travel to Sudan.

Less than 5,000 citizens had requested additional information from the U.S. and only a fraction had sought assistance to depart Sudan, according to State Department Spokesperson Vedant Patel. Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh confirmed that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin approved a request for assistance from the State Department in supporting the safe departure of U.S. citizens and their immediate families.

Last week, U.S. forces airlifted dozens of diplomats and other personnel out of Khartoum on three MH-47 Chinook helicopters. On Saturday, the caravan carrying Americans to Port Sudan was protected by armed drones and tracked overhead throughout the journey.

A large fire broke out on Saturday in a fuel depot in Sevastopol on the Crimean peninsula, which took several hours to extinguish. The Kremlin-installed officials were quick to blame Ukraine for carrying out the attack using drones. The Russian-appointed official reported that the oil depot was attacked by "two enemy drones," which caused four oil tanks to burn down. However, the event is a matter of confusion, as social media images showed black smoke billowing high into the sky, and the Ukrainian side has denied the accusations. In recent days, the Russian region of Belgorod on the border with Ukraine was hit by attacks, leaving five villages without power due to Ukrainian shelling. The development marks the latest in a series of tensions between the two countries, with Russia annexing Crimea from Ukraine in 2014, a move internationally ruled as illegal. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said his country will seek to reclaim the peninsula in the upcoming counteroffensive.

Sudan's former prime minister Abdalla Hamdok has warned that the conflict in the country could spiral into a bigger crisis than Syria, Yemen or Libya, which would become a nightmare for the entire world. Over 500 people have been killed since April 15 in the battles between the forces of Army Chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his deputy Mohamed Hamdan Daglo. While multiple truces have been agreed upon, chaos and lawlessness continue to grip the capital, Khartoum, and many people have been trapped without food, water, and electricity. Many countries have evacuated their citizens while thousands of locals have fled across borders. Sudan is currently going through a fragile transition to civilian rule, which was disrupted by a 2021 coup. The leaders who seized power fell out this year over the proposed return to civilian rule, and there is now conflict about the timeframe of incorporating Hemedti's 100,000-strong Rapid Support Force's inclusion into the army. Over 75,000 people have been displaced by the fighting. The situation continues to escalate, and fears are growing that Sudan's civil war could become a global crisis.

President Joe Biden announced his candidacy for re-election this week, with a plan to make the 2024 election a referendum on Donald Trump rather than his first-term policies. Though Biden has accomplished a great deal in his first term, what motivates voters most is the fear of what might happen if the other candidate wins. This is true for both Republicans and Democrats. The president plans to follow this strategy, and he wouldn't be the first to do so. Previously, George W. Bush ran for re-election in 2004 by targeting John Kerry, and Harry Truman won re-election in 1948 by running against the "do-nothing" Republican Congress. Biden has an advantage over those presidents, as he is expected to run against a former president who is quite unpopular, particularly among independents. If Trump is the Republican nominee, Biden will be the first president to have run against a former president in over a century. Therefore, there are very few Americans who don't have already established opinions about the former president.

Anurag Chandra, 45, from Riverside County, California, was found guilty of three counts of first-degree murder and three counts of attempted murder in the crash that led to the death of three 16-year-old boys and injured three others. The incident happened on a night in January 2020 when one of the boys rang Chandra's doorbell and ran back to the vehicle as part of a prank known as ding-dong ditch. After realizing the target of the prank was following them, the man rammed his car into the back of the teens' Prius, causing it to veer off the road and hit a pole. District Attorney Mike Hestrin described the murder of the three boys as a "senseless tragedy." In court, Chandra admitted drinking 12 beers on the day of the crash and claimed he was extremely mad at the prank and worried about his family's safety. Chandra did not plan to crash into the boys' vehicle and thought no one was injured when he fled the scene. He is set to face sentencing in July and could face life in prison without the possibility of parole.

New Orleans' landmark, Mandina's, turned off its iconic neon lights to mourn the death of one of their servers, 23-year-old Hilbert Walker III, who was shot outside the restaurant's front door. According to the New Orleans Police Department, two people got out of a car and shot Walker, who was serving customers outside the restaurant, and escaped after being shot at by the guard on duty.

NOPD's Interim Superintendent, Michelle Woodfork, confirmed that the killers had targeted Walker but a customer dining inside the restaurant was hit by a stray bullet. The victim is a 54-year-old tourist from Chicago, who was celebrating her friend's birthday and Jazz Fest. She was taken to the hospital and is in stable condition.

The shooting took place on the first night of Jazz Fest, throwing another blow to New Orleans' reputation as the "Murder Capital of the America." The police are investigating the incident and requested the public's help in solving the crime. Anyone with information is requested to call homicide detective Tanisha Smith at (504) 658-5300 or Crimestoppers of Greater New Orleans Inc. at (504) 822-1111.

Christale Spain has made history in South Carolina by being the first Black woman to become the leader of the state's Democratic Party. Spain, a longtime party operative, was elected during the party's convention on Saturday, taking over from Trav Robertson, who had led the party since 2017. Spain's election is part of a wave of changes across state Democratic parties for 2024. Thanks to the party's recent revamp of its primary schedule, four of the five states in which Democrats will vote first next year now have Black women chairing their state parties. Black women are major drivers of the Democratic electorate, particularly in South Carolina. Spain had the backing of a slew of party leaders, including Rep. Jim Clyburn, for whom Spain previously worked doing constituency service and outreach in his district office. She was also endorsed by former party leaders such as Robertson and Jaime Harrison, who preceded Robertson as state chair and currently leads the Democratic National Committee.

Residents in Celebration, Florida are growing increasingly concerned with the ongoing dispute between Governor Ron DeSantis and Walt Disney Co. over the Parental Rights in Education Act, otherwise known as the "don't say gay" bill. The idyllic community, constructed by Disney in the early 1990s, is feeling the direct impact of the political battle between the two entities. Residents who had previously supported DeSantis' policies during the pandemic and recovery efforts after Hurricane Ian are now skeptical of his leadership abilities. The Governor has been accused of "picking a fight" with Disney and putting the interests of the state at risk. Individuals from surrounding towns and even out-of-state have begun to contact Celebration residents, raising concerns regarding the Governor's handling of other state affairs. The town of Celebration was built with the intent of offering residents a magical lifestyle comparable to Disney World. The ongoing turmoil is being met with growing concern, with residents deriding the Governor's actions and questioning his motives, causing many to lose their support for him.

A fuel tank in the Russian-occupied Crimean port city of Sevastopol is on fire after a suspected drone attack, according to governor Mikhail Razvozhaev. The fire has spread over an estimated 1,000 square meters, and response teams are currently trying to contain the blaze. Razvozhaev initially claimed it was a class-four fire, and further information on any potential casualties is being updated. The event comes as relations between Ukraine and Russia continue to be strained. Moscow has previously accused Kyiv of using drones to attack Crimea. Ukrainian officials have previously denied responsibility for these attacks, although they have boasted of successful attacks against military forces using euphemistic language. At present, it is unclear who was responsible for this latest attack. However, Razvozhaev is blaming Ukraine. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy responded to the accusations and stated that Kyiv would do everything possible to hold those who carried out the second attack accountable.

Recent events in South Carolina and Nebraska suggest that some Republican state legislators are pushing back against their party’s efforts to ban abortions. In South Carolina, six state Senate Republicans, including three women, voted against a near-total ban on abortions, despite Republicans having almost a 2-to-1 majority in the chamber. Similarly, in Nebraska, a bill to restrict the abortion window from 20 weeks to just six weeks failed after an 80-year-old male Republican senato, who previously supported the change, abstained from the vote, depriving it of crucial support. Republicans in state legislatures in Tennessee, Wisconsin and Kansas are also showing signs of concern about going too far on the issue of abortion. In South Carolina, for example, nine GOP state legislators withdrew their support for a bill that would have classified abortion as homicide. While anti-abortion advocates have been pressuring lawmakers to take a hard stance on the issue, there appears to be a growing divide between public opinion and the GOP goals on the issue of abortion.

The US Army has ordered a safety stand down of all Army aviators, except those involved in critical missions, to complete required training following two recent helicopter crashes that left 12 soldiers dead. This move grounds all army aviators except those participating in critical missions until they complete the required training. The safety stand down comes after a mid-air collision between two AH-64 Apache helicopters near Fort Wainwright, Alaska, that killed three soldiers and wounded another. Two of the soldiers died at the scene and the third died while being transported to a hospital. "The safety of our aviators is our top priority, and this stand-down is an important step to make certain we are doing everything possible to prevent accidents and protect our personnel," said Gen James McConville. The crash is the second involving military helicopters in Alaska this year. The Army pilots will now focus on safety and training protocols to give crews the knowledge, training, and awareness to finish their missions safely.

In a recent interview with CBS Sunday Morning, actor Michael J. Fox spoke candidly about his ongoing battle with Parkinson's disease. Despite being diagnosed over 30 years ago, the Back to the Future star states that life is "getting harder" as the disease progresses, and he doesn't believe he will live to the age of 80. Complications from falling and pneumonia related to aspiration are also significant threats to those battling Parkinson's. Fox has suffered his share of injuries, including spinal surgery and fractures to his arms, elbow, face, and hand. However, the actor remains optimistic and committed to spreading awareness about the progressive disorder that affects millions worldwide. Fox plans to debut a new documentary, Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie, on Apple+ on May 12, which highlights his life and career, including his battle with the disease. Fox established the Michael J Fox Foundation in 2000, which has become the largest non-profit organization devoted to funding research for Parkinson's. Despite facing adversity daily, the actor remains an inspiration to many for his tenacity and courage in the face of adversity.

The Suns have punched their ticket to the second round, but they face a tall order in taking down the top-seeded Denver Nuggets. After dispatching the Clippers in a high-scoring Game 5, Phoenix looks to dethrone a Nuggets' squad led by Nikola Jokic. The Nuggets' superstar has taken notice of the Suns' talent, singling them out as the favorites to win it all. However, the Suns' impressive line-up, including Chris Paul, Devin Booker, and Deandre Ayton, could swing the series in their favor. The teams split their four-game regular-season series, with injuries and lineup changes factoring in. Therefore, this semi-final showdown represents the first time these Western Conference powers will be at full strength, adding another layer of intrigue to the matchup. The best individual performer in this series, whether Booker, Durant, Jokic, or Murray, could be the deciding factor in who advances. With such an impressive stable of talent on the court, the Suns' bid to dethrone the top-seeded Nuggets is more than just a hopeful possibility. It is simply a must-see matchup.

Denver Nuggets' starting swingman Michael Porter Jr. has had some disappointing playoff stints in his career, most notably when facing the Phoenix Suns two years ago. However, with the Nuggets and the Suns meeting again in the Western Conference Semifinals, Porter is in high spirits and aims to help his team secure another conference finals appearance this season. Equipped with improved ball-handling, more flexibility, and a better shot selection, Porter is ready to go all out against Phoenix's defense. He anticipates Phoenix's two top scorers, Kevin Durant and Devin Booker, to pose significant challenges, but he is confident that his team's defensive specialists will make it tough for them. Porter acknowledges that every team makes shots, and staying calm and even-keeled is the key to combating scoring runs during the game. With Jamal Murray back in the lineup, Porter anticipates generating more firepower for Denver's offense against Phoenix. Ultimately, it remains to be seen whether Michael Porter Jr.'s new skill set will come to fruition during the playoff series, but fans and critics alike are eager to see if he can handle the pressure and help propel Denver to another conference finals appearance. |||||

For travelers transiting through Boston Logan International Airport, there are various convenient and highly-rated accommodations for a comfortable stay. Hilton Boston Logan Airport is an obvious choice for those who desire a highly comfortable room for a short stopover. Rated an AAA four-diamond hotel, it is connected to the airport and just two miles away from downtown. Other highly rated hotels accessible from Boston Logan International Airport include Embassy Suites by Hilton Boston at Logan Airport, Hyatt Regency Boston Harbor, and The Envoy Hotel, Autograph Collection. All these hotels have a rating of 8.0 or above on Kayak, and free airport shuttles are available for guests.

Pumas UNAM faces Monterrey in the last matchday of the Clausura 2023 with a lot at stake: securing a playoff spot. Pumas have to beat the super leader, Monterrey, to guarantee their place in the playoffs. They are currently in 12th place with 18 points, and a win would ensure their qualification. However, Monterrey is no easy task, having won the last eight games played at home against Pumas and hasn't lost since 2013. Monterrey tops the league with 32 points despite losing their first position in Liga MX Femenil's Clausura Week 13. Pumas go in as the underdogs but will have to go all out if they want to qualify. Monterrey, with nothing to worry about, will seek to finish in the best way possible to reach the quarterfinals as motivated as possible. The game will take place on Saturday, April 29, at 8:05 pm ET at the BBVA Bancomer Stadium. Follow along with us for all the details, commentaries, analysis, and lineups for this Monterrey vs Pumas match for Liga MX 2023 on VAVEL US.

Olivia Dunne is making waves as she graces the pages of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. The 20-year-old gymnast from Louisiana State University is one of the first college athletes to appear in the coveted issue, which hits stands in May. The spread showcases not only Dunne's stunning beauty but also her drive to be a role model and champion for women's sports.

Dunne, who is currently the highest-paid female college athlete in the United States, wants to inspire other women to pursue sports and show them that they can have it all. She aims to leave a lasting legacy that supports and encourages female athletes to have equal opportunities as men.

Despite experiencing some criticism during her rise to fame, Dunne remains focused on her goals and grateful for the experiences that have come her way. Being featured in the SI Swimsuit Issue is a dream come true for her, and she hopes to follow in the footsteps of her role models, like Aly Raisman.

Dunne's spread in the SI Swimsuit Issue is not just about showcasing her beauty but also about celebrating her achievements as a successful athlete and entrepreneur. She hopes to set an example for young girls who aspire to follow in her footsteps and inspire them to chase their dreams fearlessly.

Minnesota Timberwolves player Anthony Edwards has been cited for third-degree assault after allegedly swinging a folding chair and injuring two Denver arena employees. Edwards swung the chair while leaving the court at the end of a tense game against the Denver Nuggets, which the Timberwolves lost 109-112. Denver Police reportedly charged him with two counts after the employees he hit each filed an assault charge. Edwards' attorney disputed this, saying his client "did not swing the chair at anyone and of course did not intend to hurt anyone." The attorney added that the chair was obstructing Edwards' path, so he moved it and placed it three steps away. The incident took place on Tuesday, with news of the charges reported on Thursday.

The Minnesota Timberwolves issued a statement indicating that they were aware of the incident and were in the process of gathering more information. They have not commented further. Edwards, the first overall pick in the 2020 draft, was an NBA All-Star this year and had 158 points in the five games against Denver. He is scheduled to appear in court on June 9.

An ultra-rare Nissan Skyline GT-R has been purchased for $AU1.5m, reportedly the most expensive ever sold. The Nismo 400R, one of only 44 built, was purchased by Australian car collector, Lecha Khouri, for a new record undisclosed price via Japanese firm HJA Autos. The Nismo 400R, based on the R33-generation Skyline GT-R, was a limited edition variant inspired by Nissan's attempts to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1995 and '96. It was equipped with racing technology and came with a 2.8-litre, twin-turbo six-cylinder engine – the RB-X GT2 – capable of producing up to 298kW. It could reach 0-100 km/h in approximately four seconds. There are conflicting reports over the background of the specific car, although it is believed to be the only LM limited-based example and the only 400R painted in "Champion Blue." Prices of Nissan Skyline models have soared in recent years, with a Nissan Skyline GT-R M-Spec Nur that sold in Australia in January going for $455k.

Two people were fatally hit by an Amtrak train in Chester, Delaware County at around 4:30 pm on Saturday in the area of the 400 block of Wilson Street. The southbound train, numbered 161, was en route to Washington D.C. at the time. Officials have not confirmed the ages of the victims. A witness, Tracey, claims that she saw a pack of around five to seven children on the tracks shortly before the crash and tried urging them to leave. According to an Amtrak spokesman, the area is fenced and has "no trespassing" signs. Chester Mayor Thaddeus Kirkland reminds residents of the dangers and urges children to stay away from the tracks. The incident caused a halt in rail traffic in the area, and services on the Wilmington line were also suspended. The accident occurred despite warnings to avoid train tracks, which remain a high-risk and deadly place for children to play. More information on the incident is yet to be released.

Since taking office in January 2021, President Joe Biden has accomplished a number of things he promised during his 2020 presidential campaign. He has signed into law the American Rescue Plan, aimed at COVID-related relief, and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which focuses on updating America's infrastructure. Biden has also completed the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan, something he had promised during his campaign.

Furthermore, he has made progress in addressing climate change through the Climate Crisis Executive Order, aiming to transition toward clean energy, and the American Jobs Plan, which allocates funds toward tackling climate change. Biden has also increased federal funding for education, particularly K-12 education, and has taken steps toward expanding access to health care.

However, there are areas in which Biden has not made as much progress, particularly with regards to immigration reform and gun control. Additionally, his build back better plan has yet to be fully passed in Congress.

Overall, Biden has made progress in fulfilling his promises, particularly in the areas of COVID relief and infrastructure, but there is still work to be done in other policy areas.

As the NBA playoffs continue to deliver standout performances, fans are left wondering if these postseason games count towards the season's Most Valuable Player award. The answer is no, as the NBA MVP award is presented annually to the player who made the biggest impact on their team's success throughout the regular season. This highly respected individual award is decided by a panel of 100 sportswriters and broadcasters who cover the NBA in the US and Canada, with each expert selecting their top five candidates. The player with the highest point total is awarded the MVP, an award in which each first-place vote is worth 10 points. Since 2010, fans have been given the opportunity to cast their ballot and have a say in the MVP with online voting. While standout performances continue to make headlines in the postseason, only the regular season is considered for the MVP award. On Tuesday, the NBA is expected to name the season's MVP among finalists Joel Embiid, Nikola Jokic, and Giannis Antetokounmpo.