Six people were killed and over 30 injured after a massive dust storm caused severe visibility problems on Interstate 55 in a rural part of central Illinois on Monday morning. The dust storm, created by excessive winds blowing dust from nearby farms onto the road, caused "zero visibility" conditions. The pileup crashes involved around 20 commercial vehicles and 40-60 cars, including two tractor-trailers that caught fire. People injured ranged from 2 to 80 years old and had injuries ranging from minor to life-threatening. A spokesman from the Illinois State Police said, "this is a difficult scene, something that is very hard to train for something that we really haven't experienced locally." The highway, a key artery in the region, remained shut in both directions between milepost 63 and 80, and drivers were urged to seek alternate routes. The National Weather Service had issued a blowing dust warning for three counties in Central Illinois: Sangamon, Christian, and Shelby Counties, which was in effect until 7 p.m. on Monday.

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has warned the US Congress that the federal government may run out of cash to pay its bills as soon as June 1st without a debt limit increase, a date that has taken into account April tax receipts. The possibility of such a scenario has compounded the extreme rhetoric around fiscal budget discussions between Democratic and Republican leaders in both chambers of Congress, as well as the White House. The Republicans-led House has passed a bill stating that the debt ceiling and other considerations will be raised if major spending cuts to healthcare and 'climate-friendly' sources of energy are put in place. Yellen is urging Congress to act quickly to raise the limit, which caps the total amount of money the United States can borrow. Failure to do so, as warned by economists, could result in a financial crisis with far-reaching consequences. With the deadline fast approaching, actions will have to be taken soon to prevent a default on the nation's debt.

Only hours after her wedding ceremony, Samantha Miller was killed in a golf cart crash caused by an alleged drunk driver in Folly Beach, South Carolina. Miller’s husband, Aric Hutchinson, was critically injured, as were two other passengers. The golf cart, decorated with cans and a “just married” sign, was hit by a car driven by Jamie Lee Komoroski, who was charged with one count of reckless homicide and three counts of felony DUI causing great bodily harm. Subsequent investigation revealed that Komoroski was driving 65 mph in a 25 mph zone. Miller died of blunt force injuries whereas Hutchinson suffered multiple fractures and a brain injury.

The groom’s mother created a GoFundMe page to pay for her daughter-in-law’s funeral and her son’s medical bills, which collected over $183,000 in 24 hours. Annette Hutchinson shared that just five hours after Miller put a wedding ring on her son’s finger, she was handed back the same ring in a plastic bag at the hospital. In a statement after the tragedy, Folly Beach public safety department director Andrew Gilreath said the golf cart had lights and was legal to drive at night. Miller, from Charlotte, North Carolina, was 34 years old.

Wilson Garcia lost his son and wife after Francisco Oropeza, a 38-year-old suspected shooter, indiscriminately fired at Garcia's home in a rural town north of Houston, Texas. Before the shooting began, Garcia respectfully asked Oropeza, his neighbor, to shoot farther away with his gun because his one-month-old son was crying. Oropeza rejected the request and fired shots. According to authorities, Oropeza killed five people inside Garcia's house, including Garcia's son and wife, and aimed to harm other individuals during the "planned attack." The other victims were three women who protected Garcia's surviving daughter and infant, and a male church goer. Police have launched a manhunt for Oropeza, who is still on the loose. Local, federal, and state authorities have proposed an $80,000 award for information that leads to Oropeza's arrest.

According to the White House, Russia has suffered more than 100,000 casualties, including over 20,000 deaths, in Ukraine since December. These numbers, based on downgraded intelligence, include nearly 50% soldiers from Wagner Group, a private military company heavily involved in the fight for Bakhmut in Eastern Ukraine. These numbers signify that Russia has "exhausted" its military stockpiles and armed forces, according to a White House National Security Council spokesman. Ukrainian casualties were not provided by the White House. John Kirby, spokesman for the NSC, attributed high death rates among Wagner Group troops to a lack of combat training and leadership. Many of the Wagner Group members were ex-convicts released to fight in the war. Kirby also dismissed the comments of Wagner leader Prigozhin, who claimed that the group had suffered only 94 casualties, as "a ludicrous claim." The battle for Bakhmut has been the longest and bloodiest battle since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, with hostilities largely concentrated around the city.

On May Day, workers and labor unions are protesting in France, Italy and the Netherlands for better government policies to safeguard their rights and meet their wage demands. French President Emmanuel Macron faced nationwide protests for his unpopular pension reform which saw the retirement age increasing from 62 to 64 years old and required individuals to work 43 years to receive a full pension. Protesters pelted police with projectiles and torched ride-sharing bicycles. The government says its proposed changes to the pension system are necessary, but unions call on Macron to withdraw the reform. Similarly, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also faced protests from labor unions for calls to increase wages and tax policy reforms. Italy's INPS social security agency said the "citizens' revenue" benefited about four million people last year with an average subsidy of 550 euros. The government says the cost was too much at 8 billion euros last year and discouraged youths from seeking jobs. The unions intend to show that they continue to fight against pension reform in France while demanding better employment conditions in Italy. However, the protests have not been limited to France and Italy, as workers around the world mark May Day with rallies for better working conditions.

A tornado of the EF-3 strength, with winds estimated from 140 to 150 mph, hit the Great Neck area just north of Virginia Beach on April 30th, causing significant destruction to at least a dozen homes, according to city officials. The tornado did not result in any injuries, and no deaths have been reported. It wasn't until Monday morning that the preliminary information from the National Weather Service Wakefield confirmed the strength of the tornado that struck the area. The last time that the area experienced an EF-3 tornado was in 2011. The Director of Emergency Management reported that some residents did not receive alerts about the potential threat of a tornado, and officials are looking into the cause of this. Virginia Beach City Manager Patrick Duhaney has declared a local state of emergency, and road closures in the area are expected to remain for the next 24 to 48 hours. The tornado hit the area just one day after a tornado hit Palm Beach Gardens in Florida on April 29th, causing damage to vehicles and homes.

Four people were shot and killed in a remote desert community in Mojave, California on Sunday. The Kern County Sheriff's Office received a call at 11:20 pm and arrived to find all four victims with gunshot wounds to the head. Three victims, including one male and two female, died at the scene while the fourth female victim died later in the hospital. Investigators are actively searching for leads to identify and arrest the assailant, yet no motive for the shooting is currently known. The shooting is considered a difficult case due to a limited number of eyewitnesses and the remote location of the incident. The victims have only been described as being in their 20s or 30s. The authorities stated that there is no immediate danger to the community. This follows another "execution style" shooting in Cleveland, Texas, which left five dead. However, the authorities have not confirmed any links between the two events.

After the fatal shooting at Mandina's on Canal Street, the restaurant reopened for business on May 1st. Patrons came out in large numbers to show their support for a Mid-City institution. A makeshift tribute to Hilbert Walker, the 23-year-old waiter who lost his life, decorates the front window. A female visitor from Chicago was also injured in the incident, which happened despite the presence of armed security. However, it was not enough to deter loyal customers keen to support the restaurant and its employees following the tragedy. Teri Cain, who was inside the restaurant at the time of the shooting, described the incident as "a harrowing experience" before adding: "It's an experience that is not gonna keep us from supporting this restaurant."

The shooting is a reminder of the bloodshed that continues to affect New Orleans daily, despite the improved but still disheartening decreasing crime statistics. The NOPD does not have any updates on the incident and is still searching for a suspect.

Authorities discovered the bodies of seven people, including two that are believed to be two missing teenage girls, on a rural Oklahoma property near the town of Henryetta, according to the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation. The two girls, 14-year-old Ivy Webster and 16-year-old Brittany Brewer, were last seen early Monday morning in Henryetta and authorities issued an endangered/missing advisory along with Jesse McFadden, 39, a registered sex offender. They were reportedly seen traveling with McFadden, who was on the state's sex offender registry. McFadden's body was found on the same property along with the seven other bodies. The state medical examiner will confirm the identities of the victims, but authorities have stopped looking for the missing teens and McFadden. The school system of Henryetta has offered grief counseling to students and set up a vigil for the "families affected by this tragedy." Nathan Brewer, Brittany's father, has launched a GoFundMe page to help with funeral expenses, as both families cannot afford to pay for it.

Hunter Biden, the son of President Joe Biden, has been ordered to provide information about his finances in a paternity-related court case in Arkansas. Lunden Roberts, the mother of Biden's child, has requested that Biden provide information about his foreign business ventures, including those in China, and his art sales. Biden has been resisting Roberts’ efforts to peer into his personal finances for several months but has now been ordered by the court to answer questions about his finances in June. Roberts has also asked for Biden to be held in contempt of court and jailed after allegations that he has been intentionally withholding key evidence. Biden’s lawyers have stated that he is paying $20,000 a month in child support and has paid the mother $750,000 in total. This case comes at the same time as federal prosecutors investigate Biden's finances, including foreign deals. Biden has not been charged with any crimes and denies breaking the law.

An Arkansas judge has ordered Hunter Biden, the son of President Joe Biden, to answer additional written questions about his investments, art sales, and other financial transactions relating to a paternity case. The mother of his child, Lunden Roberts, asked an Arkansas judge to hold him in contempt for ignoring court orders requesting Hunter Biden turn over documents about his finances. Hunter Biden is currently paying $20,000 a month, having paid $750,000 so far to Roberts for child support, and has been battling to cut child support payments for the daughter he has with her. As part of the ongoing case, Hunter Biden will also sit for a deposition in mid-June, where he will answer questions under oath. The case was reopened when Hunter Biden asked the court to recalculate his monthly payments due to a claimed "substantial material change" in his financial situation. Meanwhile, the House Republicans are pursuing Hunter Biden's financial records, including records of his art sales, properties, and tax issues.

A looming risk of default could hit the US as soon as June 1 if the country's $31.4tn debt limit is not addressed before that date, warned Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen in a letter to House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. Yellen cited a drop in recent federal tax receipts that brought forward its inability to meet government obligations early. This acceleration puts pressure on President Joe Biden and Republican members of the House to ramp up debt-ceiling discussions before the cash at hand and "extraordinary measures" dry up. The actual default date remained uncertain because government spending and revenue generation amounts were variable, but waiting until the last minute could result in harm to business, raise borrowing costs, and damage credit ratings. In a White House NBC report, Biden called a meeting with the four congressional leaders on May 9 to discuss the debt-limit issue. Recent Congressional Budget Office data suggests the Treasury might run out of funding as early as June if tax receipts continue to disappoint, earlier than the previous forecast of between July and September.

President Joe Biden has invited the top four congressional leaders to a meeting on May 9 to discuss the debt ceiling and federal spending, after the US Treasury warned it could run out of money to pay all of the government’s bills as early as June 1. This would jeopardize the nation’s ability to repay its debts, pay benefits to social security recipients and run other vital government programs. The new potential “X-date” is largely unchanged from a previous estimate that the government could run out of cash around June 5. But Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has warned that because federal receipts and outlays are inherently variable, it is impossible to predict with certainty the exact date that Treasury will be unable to pay the government's bills. This does not augur well for the United States considering a similar debt ceiling fight in 2011 resulted in a downgrade of the country’s top-notch credit rating and nearly led to default on federal debt. The warning puts pressure on Hill leaders and the White House to strike a bipartisan fiscal deal as cross-party talks remain deadlocked.

Four people, three women, and one man were shot and killed in a mass shooting that took place at a home on H Street near Cerro Gordo Road in Mojave, California. The Kern County Sheriff’s Office received a call about the shooting at 11:20 pm, after which they arrived at the scene to find all four victims had sustained gunshot wounds to the head. The Kern County Coroner’s Office will release the identity of the victims after identification. A third woman was taken to Antelope Valley Hospital and was later pronounced dead. The motive behind the shooting is still unknown, and no arrests have been made yet. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are pursuing all possible leads to identify and catch the suspect(s) or motive. The remote desert community of Mojave is situated approximately 50 miles east of Bakersfield, with no further details released yet. The incident follows a similar shooting on Friday in Cleveland, TX, that killed five people; both cases are still hunting for their suspects.

The Central Florida Tourism Oversight District board, appointed by Florida governor Ron DeSantis, has announced that it will be counter-suing Disney in response to the entertainment giant's lawsuit against DeSantis and the board last week. The move is an escalation in the long-standing feud between the two parties, which has been fueled by DeSantis' threat to make changes to Disney's special tax district. The board's chairman, Martin Garcia, stated that Disney left them with no choice but to respond with a lawsuit of their own. The basis of the lawsuit, which will be filed in central Florida, is not yet clear. The announcement of the counter-suit comes as Disney is currently undergoing a wave of layoffs, making this an already tumultuous period for the company. The ongoing dispute has become a point of criticism for DeSantis' presidential ambitions, and the conflict shows no signs of abating anytime soon.

As more asylum-seekers continue to arrive in Chicago, officials and community groups have expressed concern that the city is running out of the funds, staffing, and space needed to help them. With Title 42 set to expire on May 11, allowing border officials to deport asylum-seekers more quickly, officials are scrambling to find space for the thousands of migrants who have already arrived and those expected to come in soon. Reports have emerged of police stations being used as temporary shelters, with asylum-seekers sleeping on the floors and being provided with expired meal rations. The situation has prompted advocacy groups to call for a better system to unite all agencies and grassroots organizations and to find bigger spaces where families can stay together. Chicago has received $5.5 million from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to care for migrants who arrived in 2022 but has not yet received any support this year. Governor J.B. Pritzker has called on President Joe Biden to provide more funding, as officials warn that it takes millions to provide staff and to repair potential temporary shelters.

The 2023 Met Gala takes place on Monday, May 1, with the theme “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty." Some of the stars expected to be in attendance include Penelope Cruz, Dua Lipa, Roger Federer, and Michaela Coel – all co-chairs of the event. The dress code is “in honor of Karl,” and many of Lagerfeld’s designs are expected to be seen on the red carpet, including nods to his personal style. Other celebrities who have confirmed their attendance include Elle Fanning and Rita Ora. Lagerfeld's influence has made an indelible impact on the fashion industry, with his work being honored in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute’s spring exhibition. The exhibition will also explore Lagerfeld's creative process and feature about 150 works from his career across different fashion houses. The gala will be available for live streaming on Vogue’s website at 6:30 p.m. ET.

Anna Wintour, the Vogue editor-in-chief, has banned several celebrities from attending the Met Gala. Among them is former President Donald Trump, who will never be invited back, according to Wintour. Demi Lovato, on the other hand, attended once in 2016 but vowed never to return after having a terrible experience that reportedly involved another celebrity guest, rumored to be Nicki Minaj. However, some celebrities have willingly chosen not to attend the annual event, despite their status. These include film icons Meryl Streep, Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, and Leonardo DiCaprio; and Friends alums Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, and Lisa Kudrow. Meanwhile, Gwyneth Paltrow, who initially attended the Met Gala, confessed in 2013 that her experience “sucked” and that it was too crowded and hot. Although some celebrities have opted out, the Met Gala still draws the biggest names in fashion and entertainment each year, and this year’s theme, “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty,” will honor the late designer’s legacy.

Fans are debating the location of the New York burger that tennis superstar Roger Federer enjoyed before attending the 2023 Met Gala as co-chair. In an Instagram post, Federer is seen holding a burger without any indication of where he bought it. Fans have suggested that he could have chosen Red Hook Tavern in Brooklyn or JG Melon on the Upper East Side for his burger fix. While there has been no conclusive confirmation of the location, fans continue to debate where Federer could have dined for his burger. Federer is set to return to Wimbledon this summer as a lifetime honorary member, and Wimbledon organizers are currently discussing how to honor his illustrious career, which includes eight Wimbledon titles. It remains to be seen if Federer will also participate in the tournament as a commentator or pundit for the BBC. Serena Williams may also attend the tournament for a celebration of her remarkable career. However, fans will have to wait for further announcements regarding the tournament’s guests and honorees.

As the annual Met Gala is approaching fast, Selena Gomez's iconic fashion looks from previous years have become the talk of the town. From 2014, when she wore a timeless plunging plum gown by Diane von Furstenberg, to the 2017 "Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garcons" theme, where she flaunted a white Coach slip dress embroidered with little flowers and stars. In 2018, she wore a stunning Coach dress which had a plunging neckline and a long, flowy train that left everyone awestruck. Gomez is known for her sensual red carpet looks, often slipping into gowns that embody both classic and glamorous sensibilities.

While many are eagerly waiting to see who attends this year's Met Gala, the anticipation for whose look will make headlines is growing. With attendees having to follow a “celebration of fashion's enduring and transformative power," dress code, this year’s event is expected to be different from those of previous years. But until the event, we can still remain nostalgic about Selena's outstanding fashion sensibilities through the years.

Fashion enthusiasts are preparing for the 2023 Met Gala, which will take place on May 1st at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. The annual event, which serves as a benefit for the museum's Costume Institute, will be livestreamed by Vogue and E! News for global audiences. The gala's dress code will honor fashion icon Karl Lagerfeld, and attendees are expected to wear Lagerfeld-related attire.

While the exclusive guest list is mostly kept under wraps, big names are expected to grace the red carpet donned in glamorous attire. In 2021, the event raised an impressive $17.4 million, making it one of the biggest art and fashion fundraising events in the world.

The Met Gala began in 1948 as a "midnight supper" and has since grown into a globally-recognized event, attracting fashion figures, celebrities, and influencers from around the world. This year's event honors the late Karl Lagerfeld, who worked as creative director for fashion powerhouses such as Chanel, Fendi, and Chloe.

Overall, fashion lovers can expect an exciting evening filled with glamorous attire, performances, and previews of the Costume Institute's spring exhibition.

Ice Spice, who rose to fame through her viral song "Munch" in 2022, made her Met Gala debut on May 1, 2023, as a special guest of Anna Wintour. The musician was invited to strut her style in custom Balmain and partner with Vogue and eBay for a behind-the-scenes look into her journey to the event. Her newest hit "Princess Diana" remix with iconic rapper Nicki Minaj recently joined the Billboard Hot 100 top 5. As a Skims campaign star and guest of high-profile events, Ice Spice has become an "it" girl to many. However, her personal style has had mixed reviews, but securing a Met Gala invite only a year after viral fame is impressive.

As the prestigious Met Gala gears up to pay homage to the legendary fashion designer, Karl Lagerfeld, rumors suggest that more than one person will be dressed as Lagerfeld's pet cat, Choupette. Lagerfeld once famously expressed his desire to marry the beloved white Burmese cat, and in his will, he bequeathed part of his estate to her. Choupette will be present on the red carpet, but only time will tell which guest will bring her to life through their outfit. Fashion and pop icon Doja Cat seems to be the favored contender by some fashion experts, who point to her past use of trolling fashion and her relationship with Schiaparelli as evidence. Also, her stage name might hint her love of cats. However, nothing has been confirmed. It should be noted that in 2022, Kylie Jenner wore a Schiapparelli dress with a cat head bustier that Lee suggests would have been a great way to honor Choupette's legacy.

Indian actress Priyanka Chopra has confirmed her attendance at the upcoming Met Gala 2023, which will celebrate legendary designer Karl Lagerfeld with the theme 'Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty'. Chopra reportedly teased that her look for the prestigious fashion event will have a "special element" that will fit with the theme. Fans are excited to see what the actress, who is known for her extravagant fashion choices, will wear. Chopra previously stunned on the Met Gala red carpet in 2018 with a maroon velvet gown. Fellow Indian actress Alia Bhatt will also be attending the event for the first time, wearing a Prabal Gurung outfit. The Met Gala, which is often referred to as "fashion's biggest night out," draws in the biggest A-list names and always makes for one of the most exciting celebrity-fashion events of the year. Other stars expected to attend include Elle Fanning, Rita Ora, and Penelope Cruz.