Despite an ongoing ceasefire between the United States and Iran, the Iranian regime continues to threaten to execute dissidents.

Two non-government organizations report Tehran executed over 1,600 people in 2025, a 68% increase from the previous year. The organizations say the actual numbers are likely much higher because Iranian authorities do not publicly announce all executions carried out. This increase also occurred before major protests against the regime spread across the country earlier this year leading to even more executions.

RELATED STORY | Family of Iranian prisoner spared from execution fears what comes next

The first female protester, Bitta Hamadi, is set to be sentenced to death. She was recently tried alongside her husband and two others who face the same fate. Human rights groups say the charges are based on forced confessions obtained under torture.

In the last month, Iran executed nearly a dozen men, including one teenager, who were sentenced just weeks after their arrests. The author of the report detailing these executions was recently arrested at her home. Her whereabouts and fate remain unknown.

Meanwhile, the condition of Nobel Peace Prize winner Narjaz Mohammadi continues to deteriorate inside an Iranian prison. Her foundation previously announced she had suffered beatings. Based on two in-person visits in March and April, the foundation says her situation is now critical. They report she had a heart attack in late March, has lost significant weight, and has experienced many other health issues since her arrest. The foundation is calling on human rights groups and the United Nations to intervene.

RELATED STORY | Trump announces Lebanon-Israel ceasefire, opening door for U.S.-Iran talks

U.S. President Donald Trump has said executions of Iranian citizens is one of his so-called red lines as peace negotiations continue. The United States and Iran agreed to a fragile two-week cease-fire last week, which led to direct talks in Pakistan last Saturday. Those meetings ended without a peace agreement, and the two sides have not met since.

Ben Cohen, co-founder of Ben & Jerrys, repeated statements similar to those made by Jerry Greenfield, who left the business in September after claiming the ice cream brand has been silenced by its parent company, Magnum.

Cohens comments to The Washington Post come after Magnum was spun off into its own company by Unilever in 2025. Cohen said Ben & Jerrys has a social mission to fulfill and that Magnum should sell the brand.

Cohen accused Magnum of destroying the heart and the soul of Ben & Jerrys.

RELATED STORY | Ben & Jerrys cofounder resigns, says brand silenced by parent company

Theyre trying to neuter the social mission, he added.

Cohen's comments came on Free Cone Day, which he renamed "Free The Cone Day," in hopes of encouraging a new buyer for the company.

Ben & Jerrys says it has progressive values and supports human rights and dignity; social and economic justice; and environmental protection, restoration and regeneration. The company has said it openly supports LGBTQ+ rights, campaign finance reform, racial justice and fair trade.

In September 2025, Greenfield claimed that Unilever, which then owned Magnum before spinning it off, had not allowed him to continue the companys social mission.

RELATED STORY | Ben & Jerry's unveils new Kamala Harris-inspired ice cream flavor

For more than twenty years under their ownership, Ben & Jerrys stood up and spoke out in support of peace, justice, and human rights not as abstract concepts, but in relation to real events happening in our world, Greenfield wrote.

Even under a new parent company, Cohen said, things have not improved.

The company has been about social justice, about using its power to improve the quality of life for people in our communities, about standing up to injustices, Cohen told The Washington Post.

Cohen said Magnum prevented Ben & Jerrys from posting about Black History Month. He said the company also wanted to post a statement calling for a cease-fire in the conflict in Gaza, but the request was rejected.

Jerry and I have come to the conclusion that the only solution is for the Magnum Corporation to sell Ben & Jerrys to a group of socially aligned investors that actually believes in and agrees with and supports the social mission, Cohen said.

Unilever acquired Ben & Jerrys in 2000. As part of the merger agreement, the brand would continue its social advocacy.

Unilever held rights to the company until last year, when it spun off the business. Months prior to the demerger, Greenfield resigned.

Cohen no longer retains control of Ben & Jerrys but remains an employee.

Democrats are out-raising Republicans in some crucial races as they try to win control in the U.S. Senate in November.

In Texas, Democrat James Talarico raised $27 million in the first quarter, while Republicans have yet to settle on a general election candidate. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and Sen. John Cornyn are set to face off in a May runoff.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT | Trump says midterm elections will require voter ID under new executive order

In Georgia, Sen. Jon Ossoff is seeking reelection and has raised $14 million. Republicans will hold a primary in May, with a potential runoff in June.

In North Carolina, Democrat Roy Cooper has brought in $13.8 million, outpacing Republican Michael Whatley, who has raised about $5 million.

In Ohio, Democrat Sherrod Brown reported $12.5 million in fundraising, compared with $2.9 million for his opponent, Sen. Jon Husted.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT | Congressional Democrats sue to block Trumps new mail voting restrictions

The early fundraising advantage suggests momentum for Democrats, but

National Republican groups will likely step in to bolster candidates who may lag behind in fundraising.

Republicans currently hold a 5347 majority in the Senate. Democrats would need to flip at least four seats in November to win control of the chamber.

A nationwide warrant has been issued for an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent accused of pointing his duty weapon at two people while driving on a Minnesota highway.

Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty announced Thursday that Gregory Donnell Morgan Jr. is charged with two counts of second-degree assault.

Prosecutors say the incident happened Feb. 5 on eastbound Highway 62 in the Twin Cities during rush hour traffic.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT | Minnesota sues Trump administration over shootings during immigration crackdown

According to authorities, Morgan was driving a rented, unmarked SUV on the shoulder in an apparent attempt to bypass congestion. A police report says that's when a driver briefly moved into the shoulder to slow him down before returning to the lane.

Prosecutors say Morgan then pulled alongside the vehicle, rolled down his window and pointed a handgun at the driver and a passenger. Both later told investigators they feared for their safety.

Investigators later identified Morgan through the vehicles license plate and arranged to speak with him. He told authorities he was an ICE agent assigned to the Minneapolis area and had been returning to a federal facility at the end of his shift.

Morgan said he displayed the weapon and yelled, Police, stop, because he feared for his safety. Authorities say he acknowledged he was not responding to an emergency or conducting an active law enforcement operation at the time.

RELATED STORY | Civil rights investigation opened into killing of Alex Pretti

The incident occurred during Operation Metro Surge, a federal immigration enforcement effort that drew significant backlash, including after the deaths of U.S. citizens Renee Good and Alex Pretti during encounters with federal agents.

Todays charges reflect an important milestone in our efforts to seek accountability for the harms inflicted on community. I drew daily inspiration from the care Minnesotans showed for each other during Metro Surge, Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said.

A man who served in the U.S. Navy after immigrating from Britain has been charged in a string of deadly attacks in the Atlanta suburbs that quickly drew the attention of President Donald Trump's administration.

U.K.-native Olaolukitan Adon Abel, whose name appears in different variations in court and government records, is accused of killing two women, including a Department of Homeland Security employee, and critically injuring a man.

Homeland Secretary Markwayne Mullin called the shootings "acts of pure evil" and raised concern that Adon Abel, 26, was granted U.S. citizenship in 2022, when Democrat Joe Biden was president.

Here's what is known about the rampage.

Three early morning attacks, miles apart

The attacks rattled the Atlanta suburbs of Decatur, Brookhaven and Panthersville in the early morning hours Monday.

The first victim, 31-year-old Prianna Weathers, was found with gunshot wounds near a Decatur-area restaurant around 1 a.m. She was taken to a hospital but died, DeKalb County Police Chief Gregory Padrick said.

Then, around 2 a.m., a 49-year-old man experiencing homelessness was shot multiple times while sleeping outside a grocery store in Brookhaven, about 12 miles (19 kilometers) northwest of the first attack, Brookhaven Police Chief Brandon Gurley said. The man, whose name hasn't been released, remains hospitalized in critical condition.

DHS worker Lauren Bullis, who was out walking her dog more than 10 miles (16 kilometers) away in Panthersville, was found around 7 a.m. with gunshot and stab wounds. She died at the scene, Padrick said.

Investigators in Brookhaven determined that the three attacks were connected, Gurley said.

Authorities have said they believe at least one victim was targeted at random.

WATCH | Principal takes on gunman inside school and stops attack

DHS employee remembered for her generosity

Bullis, 40, served in multiple roles at DHS Office of Inspector General, including as an auditor and an innovation team leader. DHS posted on social media that she brought "a genuine sense of care to her colleagues each day."

Her family said in a statement that she loved running, reading and traveling, and "her warmth and generosity touched everyone surrounding her."

Fellow DHS auditor Ashley Toillion of Denver described Bullis as "the nicest, sweetest, most encouraging person I've ever met."

ICYMI | Florida doctor faces manslaughter charge for allegedly removing wrong organ during surgery

Suspect pleaded guilty in California assault

Military records show the defendant enlisted in the Navy in 2020, last serving in the Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron in Coronado, California, and as a petty officer received a Navy "E" Ribbon for superior performance for battle readiness.

Adon Abel pleaded guilty in October 2024 to assaulting two police officers with a deadly weapon and attacking another person when he was stationed in Coronado, according to California court records.

He faces malice murder, aggravated assault and firearms charges in Monday's attacks, court records show. He waived an initial court appearance Tuesday, and a public defender listed as his attorney did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment.

Mullin said Adon Abel has a criminal record that includes a sexual battery conviction. Online court records show that someone listed with a similar name and the same birth date pleaded guilty last June in Chatham County, Georgia, to four misdemeanor counts of sexual battery.

It wasn't immediately clear if Adon Abel had a criminal record that predated him becoming a U.S. citizen in 2022. The U.S. has long barred people convicted of most violent crimes from attaining citizenship.

President Donald Trump announced Thursday that Lebanon and Israel will begin a 10-day ceasefire, a move seen as an important step toward easing hostilities linked to tensions between the United States and Iran.

The ceasefire is expected to start Thursday evening, Trump said.

Trump said the agreement followed conversations he had with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun. The violence between Lebanon and Israel has been viewed as a proxy conflict, with the United States maintaining its strong alliance with Israel while militants in Lebanon align with Iran.

RELATED STORY | US hosts rare talks between Israel and Lebanon, but a ceasefire remains elusive

I just had excellent conversations with the Highly Respected President Joseph Aoun, of Lebanon, and Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu, of Israel. These two Leaders have agreed that in order to achieve PEACE between their Countries, they will formally begin a 10 Day CEASEFIRE at 5 P.M. EST, Trump wrote on Truth Social.

Lebanon confirmed its agreement to the ceasefire, but had said Aoun would not speak directly with Netanyahu.

"I welcome the announcement of the ceasefire declared by President Trump, which is a central Lebanese demand we have pursued since the first day of the war, and was our primary goal in the Washington meeting on Tuesday," Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam wrote on X.

RELATED STORY | Top diplomats from Israel and Lebanon meet for peace talks

Netanyahu also confirmed that Israel would agree to the temporary ceasefire.

Trump said he has invited Netanyahu and Aoun to the White House for direct talks, but it's unclear whether the two sides have agreed to the meeting.

President Donald Trump suggested that the U.S. and Iran could resume in-person negotiations as early as this weekend. Iran has signaled that a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon is key to resuming talks with the U.S.

The United States and Iran agreed to a fragile two-week cease-fire last week, which led to direct talks in Pakistan last Saturday. Those meetings ended without any peace agreement, and the two sides have not met since.

A key U.S. objective has been getting Iran to halt its nuclear program.

Europe has maybe six weeks or so of remaining jet fuel supplies, the head of the International Energy Agency said Thursday in a wide-ranging interview, warning of possible flight cancellations soon if oil supplies remain blocked by the Iran war.

IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol painted a sobering picture of the global repercussions of what he called the largest energy crisis we have ever faced, stemming from the pinch-off of oil, gas and other vital supplies through the Strait of Hormuz.

In the past there was a group called Dire Straits. Its a dire strait now, and it is going to have major implications for the global economy. And the longer it goes, the worse it will be for the economic growth and inflation around the world, he told The Associated Press.

The impact will be higher petrol (gasoline) prices, higher gas prices, high electricity prices, said Birol, speaking in his Paris office looking out over the Eiffel Tower.

RELATED STORY | Senate blocks war powers resolution on Iran for fourth time

Economic pain will be felt unevenly and the countries who will suffer the most will not be those whose voice are heard a lot. It will be mainly the developing countries. Poorer countries in Asia, in Africa and in Latin America, said the Turkish economist and energy expert who has led the IEA since 2015.

But without a settlement of the Iran war that permanently reopens the Strait of Hormuz, Everybody is going to suffer, he added.

Some countries may be richer than the others. Some countries may have more energy than the others, but no country, no country is immune to this crisis, he said.

'Slow growth or even recession'

Nearly 20% of the worlds traded oil passes through the Strait of Hormuz in peacetime. Birol warned that not reopening the waterway within weeks could compound the repercussions for global energy supplies.

In Europe, we have maybe six weeks or so (of) jet fuel left, he said. If we are not able to open the Strait of Hormuz ... I can tell you soon we will hear the news that some of the flights from city A to city B might be canceled as a result of lack of jet fuel.

He added: Many government leaders tell me that if Hormuz is not open until (the) end of May, many countries starting from the weaker economies are going to face huge challenges, and this will go from the high inflation numbers to coming close to slow growth or even to recession in some cases.

Birol spoke out against the so-called toll booth system that Iran has applied to some ships, letting them travel through the strait for a fee. He said allowing that to become more permanent would run the risk of setting a precedent that could then be applied to other waterways, including the vital Malacca Strait in Asia.

If we change it once, it may be difficult to get it back, he said. It will be difficult to have a toll system here, applied here, but not there.

I would like to see that the oil flows unconditionally from the point A to point B, he said.

Damage for Persian Gulf energy facilities

More than 110 oil-laden tankers and over 15 carriers loaded with liquefied natural gas are waiting in the Persian Gulf and could help ease the energy crisis if they could escape through the Strait of Hormuz to world markets, Birol said, adding: But it is not enough.

RELATED STORY | US says Iranian port blockade is working as peace talks continue

Even with a peace deal, war-damage to energy facilities means it could be many months before pre-conflict levels of production are restored, he said.

Over 80 key assets in the region have been damaged. And out of these 80, more than one third are severely or very severely damaged, he said.

It will be extremely optimistic to believe that it will very quick, Birol said. It will take gradually, gradually, up to two years to come back where we were before the war.

Carnival Cruise Line must pay $300,000 to a former passenger after a federal jury in South Florida found that the company was negligent in serving the woman more than a dozen shots of tequila before she fell down some stairs and suffered a possible traumatic brain injury.

The Miami federal jury decided last Friday in favor of Diana Sanders, a 45-year-old nurse from Vacaville, California.

"Taking on a corporate giant like Carnival is a massive undertaking, and I have enormous respect for my client's resilience throughout this 18-month litigation," Sanders' attorney Spencer Aronfeld said in an email. "This case highlights the inherent dangers of all-inclusive drink packages, which encourage excessive consumption and pressure underpaid servers to prioritize tips over safety."

A statement from Carnival Corporation said it respectfully disagrees with the verdict and believes there are grounds for a new trial and appeal, which it will pursue.

According to the lawsuit, Sanders was a passenger aboard the Carnival Radiance on Jan. 5, 2024, when was served at least 14 shots between approximately 2:58 p.m. and 11:37 p.m. She experienced a fall some time between 11:45 p.m. and 12:20 a.m. that caused her to suffer a concussion, headaches, a possible traumatic brain injury, back injuries, tailbone injuries, bruising and other injuries, the complaint said.

Aronfeld said jurors were presented with evidence of 30 minutes of missing surveillance video from the time Sanders left the Casino bar until she was found unconscious in a crew only area.

In a separate case that is still ongoing, the fiance of a man who died on a cruise ship filed a wrongful death lawsuit last year against Royal Caribbean, alleging it negligently served him at least 33 alcoholic drinks and was liable for his death after crew members tackled him to the ground and stood on him with their full body weight.

New Gallup polling shows a sudden rise in religiosity among young men, who are now far more likely than young women to say religion is an important part of their lives.

Data released Tuesday, compiled in 2024 and 2025, found that 42% of men ages 18 to 29 say religion is a very important part of their lives up from 28% in the previous poll and the highest level since 200001.

By comparison, 29% of women ages 18 to 29 say religion is very important, tying a record low for the survey.

RELATED STORY | Easter message from USDA secretary called pro-Christian sermon in complaint

More broadly, Gallups polling shows women overall have moved away from religion faster than men. Two decades ago, nearly 80% of women age 65 and older rated religion as very important; in 202425, that dropped to 64%. Among women ages 50 to 64, that number fell from 71% in 2000 to 53% more recently.

The poll shows older men are less likely to be religious than they were decades ago, while middleaged mens views have remained about the same.

Historically, Gallup has found men less religious than women in every age group. This is the first time a male age group ranks higher in religiosity than the same female age group.

RELATED STORY | Pope Leo XIV rejects claims that God justifies war in Palm Sunday Mass message

Higher religiosity among young men has also led to greater attendance at religious services. The poll found that 40% of men ages 18 to 29 attend services, up from 33% previously and now surpassing attendance among men ages 30 to 49.

Gallup also reported a sharp partisan divide. Twentysix percent of Democratic men attend services, compared with 52% of Republican men. Republican women are about twice as likely to attend services as Democratic women.

Gallup said it is unclear whether this reflects a longterm trend or a temporary shift, adding that more years of polling will be needed to determine if the change persists.

The religiosity of Americans as a whole remains at a low ebb, with the importance of religion, selfreported attendance and identification with a religion all at or near the lowest levels in Gallups longterm trends, Gallup said. Yet young men appear to be an emerging exception to the rule.

Justice Sonia Sotomayor issued a highly unusual public apology to a colleague Wednesday, saying her criticism of Justice Brett Kavanaugh for his writing in an earlier immigration case was unfair.

At a recent appearance at the University of Kansas School of Law, I referred to a disagreement with one of my colleagues in a prior case, but I made remarks that were inappropriate, Sotomayor said in a statement. I regret my hurtful comments. I have apologized to my colleague.

Sotomayors statement followed remarks she made last week in Kansas in which she criticized Kavanaugh for his concurring opinion in a high-profile emergency immigration case dealing with ICE patrols an exceedingly rare and personal comment directed at one justice by another.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT | Supreme Court considers letting Trump administration revive restrictive immigration asylum policy

Justices, particularly those who wind up dissenting, often snip at how their colleagues on the other side of an opinion frame an issue. But both conservative and liberal justices including Sotomayor also regularly discuss the comity on the court and how the nine justices get along personally even as they vehemently disagree in many high-profile cases.

That is what made the tone of Sotomayors remarks surprising.

I had a colleague in that case who wrote, you know, these are only temporary stops, Sotomayor said, according to a Bloomberg report. This is from a man whose parents were professionals. And probably doesnt really know any person who works by the hour.

CNN had reached out to Sotomayor and Kavanaugh for comment after the event. Kavanaugh did not immediately respond to a follow-up request for comment about Sotomayors apology on Wednesday.

Sotomayor, the courts senior liberal, was speaking last week about an opinion in early September in which the court backed President Donald Trumps push to allow immigration enforcement officials to continue whatcritics describe as roving patrolsin Southern California that lower courts said likely violated the Fourth Amendment.

RELATED STORY | Supreme Court justices appear skeptical of Trump birthright citizenship order

The courts majority did not offer an explanation for its decision in that case, which came over a sharp dissent from the three liberal justices.

But Kavanaugh, a member of the conservative wing who sided with Trump, wrote in a concurrence to explain his thinking. He said the factors the agents were considering taken together can constitute at least reasonable suspicion of illegal presence in the United States. Those factors could include a persons apparent ethnicity, language or their presence at a particular location, such as a farm or a bus stop.

To be clear, apparent ethnicity alone cannot furnish reasonable suspicion; under this courts case law regarding immigration stops, however, it can be a relevant factor when considered along with other salient factors, Kavanaugh wrote.

Importantly, Kavanaugh added, reasonable suspicion means only that immigration officers may briefly stop the individual and inquire about immigration status.

Liberal groups have zeroed in on Kavanaughs concurrence and have dubbed the immigration encounters at issue in the case as Kavanaugh stops. Immigrant advocacy groups have said the stops are often far lengthier and more intrusive than the justice made them seem in his opinion.

Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis said Thursday that both were found dead at their home by law enforcement after the couples teenage son called 911 shortly after midnight.

Davis described the killing as tragic in nature for what had been a high-profile family.

The police chief said the murder occurred in a partially finished basement, where Justin shot his wife several times before running upstairs to the primary bedroom and killing himself with the same firearm.

The couples two teenage children were inside the home at the time and unharmed, but Davis called the incident extra tragic because they witnessed the violence.

The couple had been engaged in divorce proceedings, and Justin was recently served court paperwork for an upcoming hearing.

In January, Justin called police to report that his wife had assaulted him, but Davis said multiple cameras installed inside the house by Cerina captured the encounter and showed the alleged assault did not occur. No arrests were made.

Davis said victim services staff are working closely with surviving relatives to support the children.

Tragic for the children to lose both parents, extra tragic for them to actually be in the home when it occurred, Davis said.

Justin, once regarded as a rising political star in Virginia and a Democratic candidate for governor, served as lieutenant governor from 2018 to 2022.

This story was originally published by the Scripps News Group station in Richmond, Virginia.

U.S. military leaders said Thursday the ongoing blockade of Iranian ports is working.

Earlier this week, the Pentagon announced the United States would block all ships from entering or leaving Iranian ports. The move is intended to pressure Iran into reaching an agreement with Washington.

RELATED STORY | Trump threatens to strike Iran's infrastructure if Strait of Hormuz isn't reopened

While the U.S. has declared military success over Iran, the countrys control of the Strait of Hormuz remains a sticking point. The strait, a major passage for oil tankers, has seen closures that caused oil prices to rise.

Let me be clear this blockade applies to all ships, regardless of nationality, heading into or from Iranian ports, Gen. Dan Caine said. Enforcement will occur inside Irans territorial seas and in international waters.

U.S. military operations have eliminated the Iranian navy, said Pete Hegseth, who has been involved in the strategic communications effort.

RELATED STORY | How the Iran war is choking critical aid distribution around the world

The math is clear. Were using 10 percent of the worlds most powerful navy, and you have zero percent of your navy, Hegseth said.

Officials said at least nine ships have complied with U.S. orders to turn around since the blockade began earlier this week.

According to a source familiar with the discussions, the United States has outlined a series of red lines for any agreement. Those conditions include ending all uranium enrichment, dismantling key nuclear facilities, surrendering its stockpile of highly enriched uranium, agreeing to a broader regional de-escalation framework, ceasing funding for proxy groups and fully reopening the Strait of Hormuz without imposing tolls.

Russia hammered civilian areas of Ukraine with hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles in an attack that stretched for hours from daytime into the night, killing at least 16 people and injuring more than 80 others as terrified residents cowered in their homes, officials said Thursday.

Russia launched nearly 700 drones and dozens of ballistic and cruise missiles, primarily targeting civilians, in its biggest aerial barrage in almost two weeks, authorities said.

Tetiana Sokol, a 54-year-old resident of Kyiv, said two missiles hit near her home and she took cover with her dog in the hallway as flashes lit up the night and windows shattered from the blast wave.

RELATED STORY | Russia and China veto watered-down UN resolution aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz

On the third attack everything broke, everything flew, we were shocked, we didnt know where to run. I grabbed whatever came to hand and ran away with the dog, she told The Associated Press. I still cant find the cats in the house, they climbed out somewhere, I dont even know. No windows, nothing, the dog is still walking around in stress.

Moscow's forces have hit civilian areas almost daily since its all-out invasion of its neighbor more than four years ago, with the regular assaults occasionally punctuated by massive attacks. More than 15,000 Ukrainian civilians have died in the strikes, the United Nations says.

The latest bombardment came in the wake of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's 48-hour trip this week to Germany, Norway and Italy in an urgent search for more air defense systems that can stop Russian missiles.

Ukraine has developed a significant domestic arms industry, especially in the production of drones and missiles, but it cant yet match the sophistication of U.S. Patriot air defense systems. Ukraines top diplomatic priority is securing allies help to buy and build more and better air defenses, Zelenskyy said this week.

Cash-strapped Ukraine also needs the speedy disbursement of a promised loan from the European Union of 90 billion euros ($106 billion) that has been blocked by Hungary.

Ukraine fears the Iran war is burning through stockpiles of the advanced American-made systems it needs, and has argued against a U.S. temporary waiver on Russian oil sanctions that Kyiv says is helping finance the Kremlin's war effort.

Another night has proven that Russia does not deserve any easing of global policy or lifting of sanctions, Zelenskyy said on X.

He thanked Germany, Norway and Italy for new agreements this week on supporting Ukraine's air defense. Officials are also working with the Netherlands on additional supplies, he said.

At the same time, he noted that some partner countries haven't followed through on pledges of military support.

I have instructed the Commander of the Air Force to contact those partners who earlier committed to providing missiles for Patriot and other systems, Zelenskyy said.

The bombardment was the biggest in weeks. Last month, Russia fired 948 drones and 34 missiles in the space of 24 hours in the largest assault of the war on civilian areas.

At least four people were killed overnight in Kyiv, including a 12-year-old, with more than 50 others injured, according to authorities. Officials said the attack damaged 17 apartment buildings, 10 private homes, as well as a hotel, office center, car dealership, gas station and a shopping mall in the capital.

Nine people were killed and 23 injured in the southern port city of Odesa, three women were killed and around three dozen injured in the central Dnipro region, and one person was killed in Zaporizhzhia in the south.

RELATED STORY | Ukraine's ground robots now running 9,000 missions a month

Such attacks cannot be normalized. These are war crimes that must be stopped and their perpetrators held to account, Ukraines Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said on X.

Ukraines air force said air defenses shot down or disabled 667 out of 703 incoming targets, including 636 Shahed-type drones and other uncrewed aerial vehicles.

It said 20 strike drones and 12 missiles hit 26 locations.

Meanwhile, in Russia, Krasnodar regional Gov. Veniamin Kondratyev reported that a 14-year-old girl and a woman were killed in Ukrainian strikes in the Black Sea port of Tuapse.

He said that attacks damaged six apartment buildings, 24 private houses and three schools. Drone fragments also fell near the port of Tuapse.

Russias Defense Ministry said that its air defenses downed 207 Ukrainian drones overnight.

The U.S. labor market is showing signs of strain, but the health care industry is experiencing a hiring boom and carrying much of the load.

Recent data shows that while hiring across the board is cooling, health care workers are still very much in demand, and more Americans are answering the call to work in the field. The U.S. economy added 76,000 jobs in health care in March, accounting for 43 percent of all new jobs. Last year, the sector added nearly 700,000 jobs, helping balance an otherwise weak hiring market.

"It's a really tricky time if you don't work in health care," Heather Long said.

Long is the chief economist at Navy Federal Credit Union.

"Hiring for health care is in strong demand. It's number one on our hiring list consistently at Monster," Vicki Salemi said.

Salemi is a career expert at Monster. The surge in health care jobs is driven in part by a shortage in the field that was heightened by the pandemic.

RELATED STORY | March job gains outshine forecasts amid inflation pressures

"The pandemic just kind of heightened what we already have projected, which was the increasing in retirement of the nurses in the workforce," Donna Green said.

Green and Lindsay Davis are associate professors at the University of Cincinnatis College of Nursing. They say the field offers opportunities for growth.

"I think one of the most important things is that the new graduates understand that there are options out there, they can really find where they feel that they fit best," Davis said.

The pay is increasingly becoming a big draw, with the median pay for a registered nurse topping $93,000. The field is also viewed as safer from the impacts of artificial intelligence wiping out jobs.

"They're more AI-proof because you need to be in person to do these types of jobs, especially nursing and therapy. You need to in person with the customer, in this case, the patient," Salemi said.

RELATED STORY | Study reveals workers are burned out and not getting paid for taking on extra duties

The health care trade is expected to remain strong. The Labor Department projects that employment of health care workers will increase by eight percent from 2024 to 2034, compared to just three percent growth for all jobs.

Some employers are getting creative to find workers. In Virginia, one healthcare center hosted a March Madness-style "draft day" last month.

Marquita Gardner is a nursing student graduating soon who already has a position lined up. Gardner sees healthcare as a stable career choice and one that makes a difference.

"Im very excited," Gardner said.

"We need more people, we need more caring people, more compassionate people. If we just have that one person that takes that initiative it'll make a world change," Gardner said.

Representatives from the Trump administration are briefing lawmakers about plans to secure the World Cup, now under two months away.

During a hearing on Capitol Hill, we heard senators being told that these high profile games will be secure and that they want to make it easy for international fans to get visas to come to the U.S. for the games.

Commerce Department officials told senators that the more people who visit, the better. Eleven cities stand to benefit from a huge economic windfall, with as many as 10 million fans coming to see World Cup games.

But there have been questions about whether ICE will be at the games conducting immigration enforcement.

"I am very concerned that because of statements made by the president and actions taken by the Trump administration, that we're going to be discouraging soccer fans from coming to games here," said Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD).

"There are many efforts being in place to ensure ease of travel and that people who want to come to the World Cup can come here, get the visa," said Robert O'Leary, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Travel and Tourism at the Department of Commerce.

RELATED NEWS | ICE agents to support investigations during World Cup in Canada

In February, the acting ICE director said that ICE would be on hand at these World Cup games in a security capacity but did not give more details.

Scripps News has reached out again to the White House to ask for that today, and they still aren't commenting on exactly what ICE is going to be doing at World Cup matches.

The New York Times is reporting that top FIFA leadership is considering asking President Trump to have a total moratorium on ICE raids during the World Cup.

President Trump enjoys a friendly relationship with FIFA's president, who presented him months ago with the first ever FIFA Peace Prize.

On Tax Day 2026, Scripps News spoke with Kelly Loeffler, head of the U.S. Small Business Administration, about how business owners and Americans as a whole are faring under the Trump administration's economic policies.

IRS data has showed a slight increase so far in the average American's tax return, but less than was forecast as tax season got underway.

Loeffler said a clearer picture may emerge as more tax returns are processed.

"These are early returns we're talking about. Today is April 15. It's tax day, so we still have millions of more tax returns to process before we get to the final result... If Democrats had their way, instead of Republicans standing up for common sense, Americans would have been writing checks to the federal government."

RELATED NEWS | Middle East war drives consumer sentiment to its lowest level in 70 years

Americans are receiving their returns as a U.S. blockade of Iranian shipping sends fresh unsteadiness through markets for energy and food, some of which depends on oil products and fertilizer moved through the Strait of Hormuz.

Loeffler claimed that climbing prices for gasoline, groceries and other essentials would stabilize as the administration achieved its war objectives in the Middle East.

"Let's remember that Democrats are the party of high gas prices. Under Joe Biden in June 22 of 22 we reached $5 and above for gas prices... . This is a short term disruption that will provide long term price stability. Prices will go down lower than when they started, because what was built in was that potential volatility that always existed from having a terrorist government controlling so much of our incremental oil reserves. So now that threat is going to be eliminated, when we get through the diplomatic negotiations, and Americans will have more stability, more certainty and lower gas prices than ever."

A University of Southern California freshman said he will advocate for reform after he was blinded by a law enforcement projectile at a "No Kings" protest in Los Angeles in late March.

Tucker Collins, 18, his mother, and his attorney, V. James DeSimone, spoke at a news conference in Los Angeles on Wednesday to announce the initiation of legal action against the federal government. DeSimone said he believes a Federal Protective Service officer employed by the Department of Homeland Security fired the shot at Collins face.

Collins, an astronautical engineering student at USC, said many activities have become more challenging since his eyeball was surgically removed due to his injury, including many of the fine skills he needs to handle small objects as part of his engineering degree. Collins said he will also need to undergo additional surgeries in the future.

He criticized the federal officer who fired toward his head.

Theres no realm in which you should do that. Especially in a situation where Im behind a fence, Im 30 feet away, Im just taking photos, theres nothing that Im posing a threat to, Collins said.

Videos provided to Scripps News last week by DeSimone showed Collins was taking pictures and videos during a demonstration outside a federal detention center in Los Angeles when he suddenly fell to the ground. Other photos showed the young mans face covered in blood, and being tended to by a medic..

We have the First Amendment right to protest, DeSimone told Scripps News. There are ways to deal with crowds. They dont include shooting less lethal projectiles traveling over 200 miles an hour at people unless there is an imminent threat to those officers.

In a statement to Scripps News, a DHS spokesperson said last week, The First Amendment protects speech and peaceful assembly not rioting. DHS is taking appropriate and constitutional measures to uphold the rule of law and protect our officers and the public from dangerous rioters. Our law enforcement has followed their training and used the minimum amount of force necessary to protect themselves, the public, and federal property.

The statement went on to say that seven warnings were issued before crowd control measures were deployed, describing the scene as a riot during which people threw rocks, bottles, and cement blocks at officers at the Roybal Federal Building. Several people were arrested, according to the governments statement.

At the news conference, Collins disputed the governments assertion that there were audible warnings before he was hit.

I was recording when it happened. There was no warning, Collins said. One minute I was recording and the next minute I couldnt see.

DeSimone said he initially thought Collins may have been struck by a pepperball, but now believes an agent used an FN303 launcher and ammo. The attorney said he obtained photos from the students surgeon showing debris and fragments from the projectile that were removed from the students eye.

I saw all the photos from the surgery, and I know this is kind of childish but I just cant believe that was in my eye. I cant believe it was that easy and that quick to inflict this kind of damage, Collins said.

They call them less lethal projectiles. I want to emphasize thats less lethal. They can kill someone if they hit someone in the head, DeSimone said.

DeSimone called on city officials to conduct a criminal investigation into the officer who fired the projectile.

The medic who tended to Collins at the protest, who asked to be identified only by her online moniker of Ken, told Scripps News she had to pick up the student and carry him to safety while officers continued to fire less-lethal munitions at the crowd. She said she has frequently attended protests and treated people who were hurt, but the injury to Collins stands out.

Ive treated quite a few injuries, but this was probably the most serious and traumatic Ive treated, Ken said. It was like a war zone.

During Wednesdays news conference, Collins said he is doing his best to return to normal life, but he doesnt know how possible that will be.

This is permanent.. I dont know if Ill be able to do what I love. Ill just forever be changed, Collins said.

DeSimone said his office filed a federal tort claim on the students behalf this week. The attorney said the claim is the first step in the legal process. If no settlement is reached, Collins can proceed with filing a lawsuit against the federal government.

Inside a hospital in Khartoum, Sudan, doctors quietly refer to one space as the Yellow Floor Room a place reserved for survivors of sexual violence.

Scripps News, the first American media organization allowed into the country since the massacre in Darfur, witnessed the conditions inside firsthand.

Now, as Sudan enters its fourth year of war, those rooms are rarely empty.

A United Nations report released this week shows 12.7 million women and girls in Sudan will need support related to sexual and gender-based violence this year four times higher than before the conflict began.

The U.N. cites overwhelming evidence that sexual violence is being systematically used as a tactic of war, including along escape routes from Kordofan and Darfur.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT | Inside Sudan's hidden genocide: Eyewitness accounts from the world's worst humanitarian crisis

Doctors Without Borders, also known as MSF, says the recent fall of Al-Fasher has triggered a surge in attacks. In North Darfur, 95% of survivors treated by MSF identified their attackers as armed men.

Hundreds of miles from the front lines in South Darfur, nearly two-thirds of reported assaults involved multiple attackers. Many occurred while women were carrying out daily tasks such as collecting water or tending fields.

MSFs report marking the third anniversary of the war is titled Theres Something I Want to Tell You, a phrase doctors say they often hear from survivors when they finally seek care in Sudans collapsing health system. Many women delay seeking help until they learn they are pregnant.

They think about, How can I deliver this baby? And how can I face the community with this baby? Dr. Inas Mohammed Ibrahim told Scripps News.

For others, there is no community left only survival. More than 4 million women and girls are internally displaced across Sudan.

The United Nations is seeking $2.5 billion in aid to address the crisis this year. So far, only a fraction of that has been funded.

The U.S. Senate on Wednesday voted for a fourth time to block a war powers resolution aimed at preventing President Donald Trump from taking unilateral military action in Iran, leaving his authority over the conflict largely unchecked.

The measure failed on a 47-52 vote, largely along party lines. All Republicans except Sen. Rand Paul voted against it, while all Democrats except Sen. John Fetterman supported it.

RELATED STORY | US ramps up pressure on Iran with blockade, sanctions to force nuclear deal

Some Republicans indicated they could reconsider their position if the president takes a more aggressive posture, including prolonging the conflict or deploying U.S. ground troops steps he has not taken but has not ruled out.

Democrats, meanwhile, said they plan to continue forcing votes on the resolution weekly until the conflict ends or the Trump administration provides clearer direction on its strategy.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT | Trump warns Iranian ships will be eliminated if they approach US blockade

The U.S. and Iran are currently adhering to a two-week ceasefire, which is set to expire April 22.

Trump has said the U.S. is keeping all options on the table including potential military force if Iran does not agree to abandon its nuclear ambitions. Scripps News has learned discussions are underway about a possible second round of talks after an initial round over the weekend failed to produce a deal to end the war.

A jury has found that concert giant Live Nation and its Ticketmaster subsidiary had a harmful monopoly over big concert venues, dealing the company a loss in a lawsuit over claims brought by dozens of U.S. states.

A Manhattan federal jury deliberated for four days before reaching its decision Wednesday in the closely watched case, which gave fans the equivalent of a backstage pass to a business that dominates live entertainment in the U.S. and beyond.

Live Nation Entertainment owns, operates, controls booking for or has an equity interest in hundreds of venues. Its subsidiary Ticketmaster is widely considered to be the worlds largest ticket-seller for live events.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT | Live Nation limits all Ticketmaster users to one account after FTC lawsuit

The civil case, initially led by the U.S. federal government, accused Live Nation of using its reach to smother competition by blocking venues from using multiple ticket sellers, for example.

It is time to hold them accountable, Jeffrey Kessler, an attorney for the states, said in a closing argument, calling Live Nation a monopolistic bully that drove up prices for ticket buyers.

Live Nation insisted it's not a monopoly, saying that artists, sports teams and venues decide prices and ticketing practices. A company lawyer insisted its size was simply a function of excellence and effort.

Success is not against the antitrust laws in the United States, attorney David Marriott said in his summation.

Ticketmaster was established in 1976 and merged with Live Nation in 2010. The company now controls of 86% of the market for concerts and 73% of the overall market when sports events are included, according to Kessler.

Ticketmaster has long drawn ire from fans and some artists. Grunge rock titans Pearl Jam battled the business in the 1990s, even filing an anti-monopoly complaint with the U.S. Department of Justice, which declined to bring a case then.

Decades later, the Justice Department, joined by dozens of states, brought the current lawsuit during Democratic former President Joe Biden's administration. Days into the trial, Republican President Donald Trump's administration announced it was settling its claims against Live Nation.

The deal included a cap on service fees at some amphitheaters, plus some new ticket-selling options for promoters and venues potentially allowing, but not requiring, them to open doors to Ticketmaster competitors such as SeatGeek or AXS. But the settlement doesn't force Live Nation to split from Ticketmaster.

A handful of the states joined the settlement. But more than 30 pressed ahead with the trial, saying the federal government hadn't gotten enough concessions from Live Nation.

The trial brought Live Nation CEO Michael Rapino to the witness stand, where he was questioned about matters including the companys Taylor Swift ticket debacle in 2022. Rapino blamed a cyberattack.

The proceedings also aired a Live Nation executive's internal messages declaring some prices outrageous, calling customers so stupid and boasting that the company robbing them blind, baby. The executive, Benjamin Baker, apologetically testified that the messages were very immature and unacceptable.

President Donald Trump said the U.S. is keeping all options on the table, including the potential use of military force, if Iran does not agree to abandon its nuclear ambitions.

Scripps News has learned discussions are underway about a possible second round of talks between the U.S. and Iran after an initial round over the weekend failed to produce a deal to end the war. A fragile two-week ceasefire remains in place and is set to expire on April 22.

"The Iranians desperation for a deal will only increase with President Trumps highly effective Naval blockade now in effect, which is sending oil tankers towards the big, beautiful Gulf of America," White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Wednesday.

The U.S. has outlined a series of so-called red lines for any agreement, according to a source familiar with the discussions.

Those conditions include requiring Iran to end all uranium enrichment, dismantle key nuclear facilities, surrender its stockpile of highly enriched uranium, agree to a broader regional de-escalation framework, stop funding proxy groups and fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz without imposing tolls.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT | Trump warns Iranian ships will be eliminated if they approach US blockade

U.S. Central Command said that since the blockade of Iranian ports began on Monday, no vessels have passed through the area. Nine ships have complied with orders to turn back toward Iranian ports or coastal areas, according to CENTCOM.

The pressure campaign is also expanding by going after Iranian-linked money.

The Treasury Department on Wednesday announced sanctions targeting more than two dozen individuals, companies and vessels tied to an Iranian oil shipping network linked to Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani, the son of a senior Iranian official.

Under President Trumps leadership, Treasury will continue to cut off Irans illicit smuggling and terror proxy networks," said Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent. "Financial institutions should be on notice that Treasury will leverage all tools and authorities, including secondary sanctions, against those that continue to support Tehrans terrorist activities.

Researchers found that a higher intake of ultra-processed foods was associated with greater intramuscular fat in the thighs, independent of calorie intake, fat intake and physical activity, according to a study by multiple scientists.

The study examined the link between ultra-processed food consumption and fat infiltration in thigh muscles in people at risk for knee osteoarthritis. Intramuscular fat, similar to the marbling in a steak, could increase the risk for knee osteoarthritis, researchers concluded.

Ultra-processed foods are those that contain many additives, including fats, starches, added sugars and hydrogenated fats. They are often calorie-dense, flavorful and ready to eat. Examples include sugar-sweetened drinks, ultra-processed meats, refined grains, candy and commercial baked goods.

RELATED STORY | Following new USDA food pyramid would raise grocery bills by nearly one-third

The relationship between ultra-processed foods and health is complex. Not all are harmful, but many contain higher levels of saturated fat, added sugars and sodium, which can lead to excess calorie intake. Doctors have long warned that diets high in added sugars, sodium and saturated fats increase the risk for poor health outcomes. Because these foods are a major source of calories for many Americans, more people are at risk for negative health effects.

The association between ultra-processed foods and intramuscular fat had not been clearly established until recently.

Over the past decades, in parallel to the rising prevalences of obesity and knee osteoarthritis, the use of natural ingredients in our diets has steadily diminished and been replaced by industrially processed, artificially flavored, colored and chemically altered food and beverages, which are classified as ultra-processed foods, said the studys lead author, Dr. Zehra Akkaya. In addition to investigating the quality of our modern diet in relationship to thigh muscle composition, in this study, we used widely available, non-enhanced MRI, making our approach accessible and practical for routine clinical use and future studies.

The study involved 615 individuals 275 men and 340 women with an average age of 60 and an average body mass index of 27. Researchers found that 41 percent of participants diets came from ultra-processed foods.

The findings underscore that diet quality not just calorie restriction or exercise plays a critical role in reducing the risk of osteoarthritis.

RELATED STORY | New US dietary guidelines urge more protein, fewer ultraprocessed foods

Pope Leo XIV on Wednesday doubled down as U.S. President Donald Trumps criticism showed no sign of letting up, insisting that the message "the world needs to hear today is one of peace and dialogue.

Leo spoke to journalists en route to Cameroon as he continued his Africa visit.

He made no mention of Trumps latest social media post or the suggestion by U.S. Vice President JD Vance, a Catholic convert, that he should be careful when speaking about theology.

Leo took no questions. Rather, he focused on his first stop in Algeria and the teachings of St. Augustine of Hippo, the inspiration of his religious order and his own spirituality.

But Leo spoke in terms that suggested the Trump administration's criticism of the pope's calls for peace in the Iran war hadn't gone unnoticed. He spoke exclusively in English.

Trump has issued repeated broadsides this week against historys first U.S.-born pope, accusing him of being weak on crime and a captive to the left, and asserting that Leo owed his papacy to Trump. Trump also posted, then took down, an artificial intelligence-generated, Christ-like image of himself that drew widespread condemnation, even from many supporters.

Trumps attacks on Leo began after the pope amplified criticism of war and asserted that God doesnt bless those who drop bombs. Leo also called Trumps threat to annihilate Iranian civilization truly unacceptable.

Overnight, Trump posted Not good!!! in response to a post citing social media posts by Leo before he was pope that were critical of Trump. And he wrote: Will someone please tell Pope Leo that Iran has killed at least 42,000 innocent, completely unarmed, protesters in the last two months, and that for Iran to have a Nuclear Bomb is absolutely unacceptable.

Leo drew attention to his visit Tuesday to Annaba, the ancient city of Hippo where St. Augustine, the theological and philosophical giant of the early church, lived as a bishop for more than 30 years.

His writings, his teaching, his spirituality, his invitation to search for God and to search for truth is something that is very much needed today, a message that is very real for all of us today as believers in Jesus Christ, but for all people, Leo said.

By going to Hippo, Leo said that he wanted to offer the church and the world a vision that St. Augustine offers in terms of seeking "unity among all peoples and respect for all people in spite of the differences.

He recalled that the vast majority of Algerians are Muslim, but that they respect and honor St. Augustine as one of the great sons of their land. Such an attitude, he said, helps to build bridges between Christians and Muslims and promote dialogue.

And he recalled his visit to the Great Mosque of Algiers, where he stood in silent prayer.

I think the visit to the mosque was significant to say that although we have different beliefs, we have different ways of worshiping, we have different ways of living, we can live together in peace, he said.

And so I think that to promote that kind of image is something which the world needs to hear today.

While being on the receiving end of Trump's criticisms online, Leo pointed to the respectful way that the Algerian government had received him on the first-ever papal visit with a full military airborne escort through Algeria's airspace.

Its a sign of the goodness, of the generosity, of the respect that the Algerian people and the Algerian government have wished to show to the Holy See and to myself, Leo said.

The Vatican's editorial director, Andrea Tornielli, was more pointed than Leo in his rebuttal of Vance, who had argued that the Catholic Church had a long tradition of endorsing so-called just wars, when war can be morally justified.

Tornielli noted that the just war theory was developed centuries ago, when wars were fought with swords, not machine-guided drones.

This teaching has gradually been enriched and deepened, to the point of recognizing how increasingly difficult it is to claim that a just war exists, Tornielli wrote on Vatican Media. Modern warfare poses a "reality that raises moral questions of dramatic intensity.

There has been a growing awareness that war is not a path to be followed, he wrote.

U.S. Cardinal Robert McElroy, the archbishop of Washington, has said the U.S.-Israeli war in Iran failed to meet the minimum criteria for the war to be considered morally just. Such criteria would have included that it was a response to an imminent threat, that the U.S. and Israel had clearly articulated their intentions or that the benefits would outweigh the harm.

___

collaboration

British runner Clarke Reynolds completed the Brighton Marathon on Sunday using special glasses that helped the blind marathoner stay on course

Using Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses and with assistance from volunteers who guided him via the Be My Eyes app Reynolds finished the race in 6 hours, 19 minutes, 41 seconds. Typically, blind runners rely on another runner to serve as a guide, which requires the guide to maintain the same pace.

The new technology allowed Reynolds to run at his own pace.

Reynolds told RNIB Connect Radio that volunteers rotated every 30 minutes to provide guidance through the app while he ran. In Sundays race, he also had a guide nearby in case the technology failed.

RELATED STORY | What a warming climate could mean for the future of your favorite marathons

But he didnt need the guide.

It was just a way of, how can I do this and push the boundaries of what the technology is out there, Reynolds said. And, you know, its not too far off that we could do daily-life, crazy stuff with technology.

Reynolds trained for 10 months to prepare for the race.

I want to blow away peoples expectations of what sight loss means and be a role model for people of all ages with a visual impairment, he said before Sundays event.

Reynolds also used the marathon to raise funds for the Richard Whitehead Foundation, which supports visually impaired runners.

RELATED STORY | Mom runner wins 100K ultramarathon, breastfeeding along the way

His experience with the Be My Eyes app is one of many ways the technology can be used. In March, the app reached 1 million users, along with a network of more than 10 million volunteers. The app advertises that it can assist visually impaired people by reading labels, troubleshooting devices and offering other types of help.

Reaching 1 million blind and low-vision users and 10 million volunteers is far beyond what I imagined when I first had the idea for Be My Eyes, said Hans Jrgen Wiberg, the apps founder. This community shows the incredible willingness of people around the world to help one another. Every day, millions of small acts of kindness happen through the app, and together they make the world more accessible.

A grand jury indicted a Florida doctor on a manslaughter charge for allegedly removing a patient's liver instead of his spleen during a 2024 surgery.

The prosecutor for the First Judicial Circuit on Monday announced the charge of second-degree manslaughter against Dr. Thomas Shaknovsky.

Prosecutors said that during an Aug. 21, 2024, surgery, which was scheduled to be a laparoscopic splenectomy, Shaknovsky removed the victim's liver instead of his spleen. That resulted in "catastrophic blood loss and the patient's death on the operating table," law enforcement officials wrote in a press release. The patient was a 70-year-old man from Muscle Shoals, Alabama.

ICYMI | Doctors warn patients are delaying care over costs even with insurance

"Our duty is to follow the facts wherever they lead, without fear or favor," Walton County Sheriff Michael Adkinson said in a statement.

Available court records did not name an attorney for Shaknovsky.

Florida suspended Shaknovsky's medical license after the surgery. Records show he voluntarily surrendered his medical license in Alabama after regulators moved to revoke his license.

Crashes involving about 70 vehicles snarled a section of a snowy Colorado highway and sent eight people to the hospital.

The pileup Tuesday prompted officials to close the eastbound side of Interstate 70 in Clear Creek County, about 50 miles (80 kilometers) west of Denver, the Colorado State Patrol said in a statement.

RELATED STORY | Viral Waymo crashes put driverless cars in the spotlight

Officials evaluated 19 people for injuries and took eight of them to the hospital, including one person who had sustained serious bodily injuries, according to the state patrol.

Images online show multiple semitrucks involved in the pileup, with debris lining the roadway, fronts of vehicles smashed and at least one vehicle balanced partially off the ground.

It was not immediately clear what caused the pileup.

RELATED STORY | Jury awards $329 million in case that blamed Tesla's Autopilot for deadly crash

A high school principal in Oklahoma was shot in the leg Tuesday after confronting a man who entered the school with a gun, authorities said.

Pauls Valley High School Principal Kirk Moore is in stable condition, and no students were injured in the shooting, according to authorities. The suspect, a 20-year-old former student, was taken into custody, Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation spokesman Hunter McKee told reporters outside the school.

Moore and other staff members quickly confronted the former student after they noticed he entered the school with a gun, McKee said.

The subject was able to fire multiple rounds, where the principal was hurt, but no one else was, McKee said. The actions of the staff and the principal stepping in as soon as they saw a subject with a firearm saved lives today.

Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt said Moore acted bravely to protect students lives" and that he and his wife were praying for his quick recovery.

Im thankful for the swift response from law enforcement and school staff, and Im grateful no students were harmed, he said in a post on the social platform X.

Pauls Valley is a community of about 6,000 people 60 miles (96 kilometers) south of Oklahoma City.

Federal prosecutors made an unannounced visit this week to a construction site at Federal Reserve headquarters that is the focus of an investigation into a $2.5 billion renovation project, according to two people familiar with the visit.

Two prosecutors and an investigator from U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirros office were turned away on Tuesday by a building contractor and referred to Fed attorneys, one of the people said. The two people familiar with the visit spoke on condition of anonymity because they werent authorized to publicly discuss an ongoing investigation.

RELATED STORY | Prosecutor conceded lack of criminal evidence in Federal Reserve investigation, transcript shows

Last month, during a closed-door hearing before a federal judge, a top deputy from Pirros office conceded that they hadnt found any evidence of a crime in their investigation of the headquarters project.

The investigation has faced bipartisan opposition in Congress. It also has delayed Senate consideration of Kevin Warsh, President Donald Trumps pick to replace Fed chairman Jerome Powell when his term ends May 15.

Trump has again threatened to fire Jerome Powell if the Federal Reserve Chair decides to stay on the central bank's governing board after his term as chair expires next month.

Well then Ill have to fire him, OK? Trump told Fox Business in an interview that aired Wednesday when reminded that Powell has said he wont leave the Fed while the Justice Department investigates a $2.5 billion renovation project at the bank.

Trump has for months wanted to remove Powell as chair of the Fed, saying he has been too slow in orchestrating interest rate cuts that would give the U.S. economy a quick boost. Powell has said the investigation is a pretext to undermine the Fed's independence to set rates. A federal prosecutor last month admitted that the investigation into the renovations had turned up no evidence of a crime.

Powell's term as Fed governor expires May 15, but his term as a Fed board member lasts until January 2028.

RELATED STORY | President Trump names Kevin Warsh as his pick to replace Powell as Fed chair

Trump has nominated former Fed official Kevin Warsh to succeed Powell. Yet Warshs confirmation has been delayed. Sen. Thom Tillis, a North Carolina Republican, has said he wont vote to confirm any Fed nominees until the investigation is dropped.

Britain's King Charles and Queen Camilla will visit the United States later this month to mark the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence.

The state visit, scheduled between April 27 and April 30, will include stops in Washington, New York and Virginia. The visit comes at a delicate time for U.S. and U.K. relations.

In Washington, D.C., Charles will address a joint meeting of Congress. He will also have a private meeting and tea party with President Donald Trump, followed by a state banquet at the White House.

RELATED STORY | King Charles III to mark 250 years of American independence on historic US trip

The upcoming visit follows tension between Trump and U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer over the Iran conflict and Trump's criticism of Starmer. Speaking in the House of Commons earlier today, Starmer rejected calls from an opposition politician to cancel the state visit.

Starmer argued the trip is focused on the 250th anniversary and boosting long-term ties between the two nations beyond the point at which he and Trump are still in office.

The royal visit also faces controversy surrounding Prince Andrew. Some groups are urging the king to meet with Epstein survivors. Buckingham Palace confirmed Charles and Camilla will not meet with Epstein survivors during the trip, though Camilla will meet with victims of domestic violence.

"We fully understand and appreciate the survivors position, but we can only reiterate that anything that could potentially impact ongoing police inquiries and assessments and potential legal action would be to the detriment of the survivors themselves in their pursuit of justice," a Buckingham Palace source said.

RELATED STORY | King Charles III will 'support' police review of Andrews ties to Epstein

While in New York, the royal couple will visit the 9-11 Memorial, a community project in Harlem and a literary event marking the 100th anniversary of Winnie the Pooh.

In Virginia, Charles will highlight his environmental focus with a visit to a national park and will meet with indigenous people.

A student opened fire randomly at two classrooms at a middle school in southeast Turkey on Wednesday, killing four people and wounding 20 others, an official said, in the second such shooting in the country in two days.

The student, who was also killed, arrived at the school, armed with guns believed to belong to his father, a retired police officer, Kahramanmaras provincial Gov. Mukerrem Unluer said. The gunman was carrying five firearms and seven magazines.

The victims included a teacher and three students, Unluer said. At least four of the wounded were in serious condition. The motive of the attack wasn't immediately known.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT | They saved multiple lives: Austin police release new video from mass shooting response

The attack came just a day after 16 people, mostly students, were wounded when a former student opened fire at a high school in nearby Sanliurfa province. The assailant later killed himself.

Until this week, such school shootings were rare in Turkey.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT | School shooting in Austria leaves 9 people and suspected gunman dead

Earlier, media reports said that authorities sent police and ambulances to the school in the Kahramanmaras' Onikisubat district, after gunfire was heard there. Images from the scene showed at least two people being put into ambulances.

Parents rushed to the school after hearing reports of an armed attack, NTV television reported, adding that police took security measures around the school.