A man faces multiple charges of intoxication manslaughter after a late-night crash on Interstate 35 in Austin, Texas, killed five people and left several others injured, authorities said Friday.
The massive wreck, which occurred just before 11:30 p.m. on Thursday, involved 17 vehicles. Officials confirmed that the victims included three adults, a child, and an infant. First responders transported 11 injured individuals to area hospitals.
Austin police identified the suspect as 37-year-old Solomun Weldekeal Araya. He has been charged with five counts of intoxication manslaughter and two counts of intoxication assault. Authorities confirmed that Araya was in custody at Travis County Jail, though jail records did not list an attorney for him.
Investigators have yet to disclose details regarding the circumstances leading to the collision. In a statement Friday, police said the investigation remains in its early stages, and no further information is available at this time.
The southbound lanes of Interstate 35 were shut down following the crash and remained closed until about 1 p.m. Friday. The wreckage left behind a stretch of highway scattered with mangled vehicles and debris.
“This was a very large and very complex collision,” Austin Police Officer Austin Zarling said during an early morning news conference.
Eyewitness Edgar Viera told KXAN that he rushed to the scene from a nearby store after hearing the impact. “We didn’t have the proper tools to open the vehicles, so we just did what we could,” he said. “It was hard to see this.”
A devastating fire tore through a nightclub in the eastern town of Kocani, Macedonia, early Sunday, killing 59 people and injuring 155, authorities confirmed. The blaze erupted around 2:30 a.m. during a concert at Club Pulse, with officials suspecting pyrotechnics as the cause of the roof catching fire.
Videos from inside the club showed chaos as smoke filled the venue, with young attendees rushing to escape. Musicians on stage urged the crowd to evacuate as flames spread rapidly.
As families gathered outside hospitals for updates, Dragi Stojanov, a resident of Kocani, learned that his 21-year-old son, Tomce, had died in the fire. “He was my only child. I don’t need my life anymore,” he said. “One hundred and fifty families have been devastated.”
Authorities reported that the injured were transported to hospitals across the country, including the capital, Skopje, with many suffering severe burns. Volunteers and medical teams worked around the clock to assist victims. Health Minister Arben Taravari stated that 118 people remained hospitalized and confirmed that offers of assistance had come from neighboring Albania, Bulgaria, Greece, and Serbia.
“All our capabilities have been put to use in an effort to save as many lives as possible,” Taravari said, visibly shaken.
The fire marks the worst tragedy in North Macedonia’s recent history. The landlocked nation has a population of under two million. President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova visited burn victims at a hospital in Skopje, where she spoke with grieving parents.
“It’s terrible … hard to believe how this happened,” she said, her voice breaking. “We must give these young people courage to continue.”
Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski called the incident a “difficult and very sad day for Macedonia,” expressing condolences to the victims’ families.
The nightclub, housed in a repurposed carpet warehouse, had been operating for several years, according to local media reports. The fire caused a partial collapse of the single-story building’s roof, exposing charred beams and debris. Authorities have launched an investigation into the club’s safety standards and licensing.
Ljubco Kocevski, a state prosecutor, confirmed that several individuals were being questioned by police, though no further details were provided. Interior ministry officials stated they would investigate potential violations of safety protocols, emphasizing the government’s commitment to holding those responsible accountable.
Police have made one arrest but have not disclosed the individual’s involvement.
Condolences have poured in from European leaders, including European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, who said the EU “shares the grief and pain of the people of North Macedonia.” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also expressed sympathy, stating, “Ukraine mourns alongside our Macedonian friends on this sad day.”
Pyrotechnic-related nightclub fires have led to deadly incidents worldwide, including the 2015 Colectiv club fire in Bucharest, Romania, which killed 64 people.
President Donald Trump invoked the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 on Saturday to fast-track the deportation of alleged members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, calling their presence an “invasion” and a threat to national security. However, a federal judge blocked the move just hours later, temporarily halting deportations under the law.
Trump’s proclamation, issued by the White House on Saturday, argues that Tren de Aragua is conducting irregular warfare against the U.S. through organized crime, including kidnapping, extortion, and contract killings.
The Alien Enemies Act, a wartime law rarely used outside of active military conflict, could allow the administration to bypass due process and swiftly deport non-citizens deemed threats. Under Trump’s directive, any Venezuelan citizen aged 14 or older found to be a member of the gang—who is in the U.S. but not a naturalized citizen or lawful permanent resident—would be subject to immediate apprehension and removal.
The law was most notably used during World War II to justify internment camps for people of Japanese, German, and Italian descent. Civil rights groups have criticized Trump’s attempt to revive it for mass deportations, warning of legal challenges.
Within hours of Trump’s order, a federal judge issued a temporary restraining order, blocking the government from deporting five Venezuelan migrants after two nonprofit organizations, the ACLU and Democracy Forward, sued. The lawsuit argues that invoking the Alien Enemies Act in this manner is unlawful because the statute has only been applied during wartime and requires evidence of direct hostile actions.
Chief Judge James E. Boasberg of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia stated during an emergency hearing that he did not believe he could wait any longer and was required to act.
He noted that the U.S. government was already flying deportees to El Salvador and Honduras for detention, emphasizing that delaying their removal posed no harm to the government since they remained in custody. The court’s ruling temporarily blocks deportations for 14 days, and the ACLU plans to seek broader protections for all individuals targeted under Trump’s order.
Trump’s move to invoke the Alien Enemies Act is part of his broader effort to step up immigration enforcement since returning to office on January 20. His administration has declared Tren de Aragua and other criminal groups as global terrorist organizations.
He has deployed additional troops to the U.S.-Mexico border and redirected federal agents to focus on tracking and removing immigration offenders. However, despite Trump’s pledge to deport millions of undocumented immigrants, his initial deportation numbers lag behind those of Democratic predecessor Joe Biden, who deported large numbers of recent border crossers.
The White House has not responded to requests for comment, but court filings show the government has already appealed the judge’s ruling. With immigration enforcement a central issue in Trump’s administration, the legal battle over the Alien Enemies Act could set a major precedent for the president’s ability to bypass standard deportation procedures.
Kanye West has released a new track, Lonely Roads Still Go to Sunshine, which appears to feature Diddy, Diddy’s son Christian “King” Combs, and Ye’s daughter, North West—despite Kim Kardashian’s reported efforts to block its release.
West debuted the song on his X (formerly Twitter) account, revealing that it also includes contributions from a producer who is currently in prison.
The track begins with a voice that strongly resembles Diddy’s, thanking Kanye for checking in and helping care for his children. Kanye responds by saying Diddy has always been a role model to him, even before they met. The conversation between the two sets the stage for the song’s reflective tone.
North West also has a rap verse in the song, delivering the line: “When you see me shining, then you see the light.” Christian Combs also raps, and Chicago artist Jasmine Williams provides additional vocals.
Sources close to the situation told TMZ that Kim Kardashian attempted to legally prevent the song from dropping. North had recently visited Kanye in the studio—reportedly the first time he had seen any of his children in weeks. During the visit, he recorded her vocals for the track and allegedly promised to release it on Sunday.
When Kim learned of the plan, she reportedly sent legal cease-and-desist letters and requested an emergency hearing with a mediator and judge. However, sources say Kanye did not attend the hearing and initially agreed not to release the track.
Kim has strongly opposed North’s involvement, particularly given Kanye’s recent controversies and Diddy’s ongoing federal sex trafficking investigation. She allegedly reached out to multiple people in an effort to keep the song from being made public.
Shortly before posting the song, Kanye shared a text conversation he claims was with Kim, telling his fans that they were “going to war.” The release of Lonely Roads Still Go to Sunshine appears to be his response.
Kanye has been at the center of multiple scandals in recent months, including making antisemitic remarks, declaring himself a Nazi in online tirades, and selling shirts with swastikas. Meanwhile, he is also navigating a split from wife Bianca Censori.
As of now, Kim Kardashian has not publicly responded to the song’s release.
Tens of thousands of protesters flooded the streets of Belgrade on Saturday in the largest antigovernment demonstration in years, as anger mounts over alleged corruption under President Aleksandar Vucic. The protests, initially sparked by a deadly railway station roof collapse in Novi Sad last November, have gained momentum, with students leading near-daily rallies against the government.
Serbia’s interior minister reported that at least 107,000 people participated in the demonstration. Riot police in full gear were deployed throughout central Belgrade, particularly around Pionirski Park and the National Assembly, where the protest began before marchers moved toward Slavija Square.
Although sporadic clashes broke out overnight ahead of the rally, the demonstration itself remained largely peaceful. Protesters were met by thousands of veterans from elite military brigades and biker groups, who joined them in observing 15 minutes of silence at exactly 11:52 a.m. (10:52 GMT) to honor the 15 victims of the Novi Sad tragedy—the moment the roof collapsed.
The catalyst for the protests was the November 1 collapse of a railway station roof in Novi Sad, which killed 15 people. Critics blame the disaster on deep-seated corruption within Vucic’s administration, accusing government officials of negligence and profiteering at the expense of public safety. Prosecutors have since charged at least 13 people in connection with the incident.
Many protesters carried banners reading “He’s Finished,” a direct message to Vucic, while others chanted, “Pump it up,” a phrase that has become a rallying cry for the student-led movement.
“We came for justice. I hope that after this protest, things will change,” said Milica Stojanovic, a biology student in Belgrade, speaking to AFP.
As the protests continue to grow, the Serbian government faces mounting pressure to address public grievances over corruption, governance, and accountability.
President Donald Trump ordered a series of airstrikes on Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, on Saturday, vowing to deploy “overwhelming lethal force” until Iranian-backed Houthi rebels cease their attacks on commercial shipping in a key maritime corridor. Houthi officials reported that nine civilians were killed in the strikes.
“Our brave warfighters are right now carrying out aerial attacks on the terrorists’ bases, leaders, and missile defenses to protect American shipping, air, and naval assets, and to restore Navigational Freedom,” Trump said in a social media statement. “No terrorist force will stop American commercial and naval vessels from freely sailing the waterways of the world.”
Trump also warned Iran to cease its support for the Houthis, pledging to hold Tehran “fully accountable” for its proxy’s actions. This comes two weeks after the president sent a letter to Iranian leaders offering a potential path to renewing negotiations over Iran’s nuclear weapons program, which Trump has vowed to prevent from becoming operational.
The Houthis reported a series of powerful explosions across their territory. Images circulating online showed plumes of black smoke rising over the Sanaa airport complex, which houses a major military facility.
At least nine people were killed, and another nine were injured, according to Anees al-Asbahi, spokesperson for the Houthi-controlled health ministry. In response to the strikes, Nasruddin Amer, deputy head of the Houthi media office, stated that the group would not be deterred and vowed retaliation against the United States.
“Sanaa will remain Gaza’s shield and support, and we will not abandon it no matter the challenges,” Amer declared on social media.
The strikes come just days after the Houthis threatened to resume attacks on Israeli vessels in response to Israel’s blockade of Gaza. There have been no reported Houthi attacks since that warning.
Between late 2023 and early 2024, the Houthis targeted over 100 merchant vessels using missiles and drones, sinking two ships and killing four sailors. Their attacks have heightened regional tensions and raised their international profile while Yemen remains mired in a decade-long conflict.
The Houthi media office claimed that the U.S. strikes hit “a residential neighborhood” in Sanaa’s northern district of Shouab. Local residents described the blasts as powerful, shaking buildings and terrifying civilians.
“The explosions were very strong,” said Sanaa resident Abdallah al-Alffi. “It felt like an earthquake.”
The U.S. airstrikes were carried out solely by American forces, according to a U.S. official. Unlike previous joint operations involving the United States, Israel, and Britain, Saturday’s strikes mark the first U.S. attack on Houthi targets since Trump’s second term began.
The USS Harry S. Truman carrier strike group, which includes the aircraft carrier, three Navy destroyers, and a cruiser, was deployed in the Red Sea to support the mission. The USS Georgia cruise missile submarine has also been active in the region.
Trump, who announced the strikes while at his Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida, framed the operation as a necessary response to economic and security threats.
“These relentless assaults have cost the U.S. and world economy many billions of dollars while, at the same time, putting innocent lives at risk,” Trump said.
As tensions escalate, analysts warn of potential further conflict between the U.S. and Iran-backed forces in the region. The international community is now closely watching for possible retaliation from the Houthis and the broader implications for Middle Eastern stability.
A Ugandan High Court judge has been found guilty of human trafficking and conspiracy to intimidate a victim in a landmark case that has sent shockwaves through diplomatic and legal circles.
Lydia Mugambe, who also serves as a United Nations judicial officer, was arrested under the UK’s Modern Slavery Act. Police footage captured her expressing disbelief when officers informed her of the charges, as she insisted she had diplomatic immunity and denied any wrongdoing.
Prosecutors successfully argued that Mugambe exploited a young Ugandan woman by misleading her about the purpose of her travel to the UK and subjecting her to unfair working conditions. The court heard that Mugambe allegedly conspired with Ugandan deputy high commissioner John Leonard Mugerwa to facilitate the woman’s entry into the country, reportedly agreeing to intervene in a legal matter involving Mugerwa in exchange.
The victim, whose identity remains protected, testified that she felt isolated and trapped during her time in the UK. Mugambe, who was pursuing a law PhD at the University of Oxford, maintained throughout the trial that she had always treated the woman with kindness and denied coercing her into unpaid labor.
Thames Valley Police confirmed that the United Nations had waived any diplomatic immunity Mugambe might have held as a UN judge, allowing the prosecution to proceed.
When the verdict was delivered, gasps were heard in the courtroom, and proceedings were briefly halted after Mugambe appeared unwell.
The case has highlighted ongoing concerns regarding labor exploitation and the potential misuse of diplomatic privileges.
A devastating accident on the Nakuru-Eldoret Highway claimed the lives of 12 people early Friday morning. The crash occurred at the notorious Migaa black spot, where a trailer transporting coffee seeds lost control and collided head-on with a 14-seater matatu carrying 11 passengers.
Reports indicate that the trailer’s brakes failed, leading to the fatal collision. The matatu was left in ruins, its shattered windows and flattened tires reflecting the severity of the impact.
Emergency teams, including the Kenya Red Cross Society and the Nakuru Disaster Management team, rushed to the scene. Despite their swift response, all passengers in the matatu were pronounced dead on-site. The trailer, en route to Eldoret, also sustained heavy damage.
The crash caused significant traffic disruptions on the busy highway, forcing motorists to seek alternative routes. Police quickly secured the area to investigate the circumstances leading to the tragedy.
Police Spokesperson Michael Muchiri confirmed that the victims included nine men, two women, and a child, underscoring the broad impact of the accident. He urged drivers to exercise extreme caution around the Migaa black spot, an area notorious for frequent and fatal crashes.
This incident echoes a similar tragedy from last August, when 14 people lost their lives and 36 were injured in an accident involving a Coast Bus. The recurring nature of these crashes highlights the urgent need for improved road safety measures in the region.
Authorities are now facing growing pressure to enforce stricter regulations and implement additional safety measures to prevent further loss of life on this perilous stretch of road.
A United Airlines passenger was caught on camera assaulting an airline worker after his flight was allegedly canceled, authorities confirmed.
Christopher Stuart Crittenden, 54, a retired Montgomery County Fire Department Captain, was filmed launching into a violent tirade at the airport Thursday night.
In the footage, Crittenden, carrying a shoulder bag and backpack, attempts to enter the jet bridge as passengers disembark from another flight. When a gate agent blocks his way, he snaps.
“I’m done with this bulls,” he yells before winding up and delivering a forceful punch to the employee’s face.
The airline worker collapses instantly, lying motionless on the ground as shocked passengers look on.
Airport officials rushed the injured worker to a local hospital for treatment. Crittenden was swiftly arrested and charged with assault and disorderly conduct. Authorities suspect he was intoxicated at the time, Fox 5 DC reports.
Shocking images obtained by TMZ show security officers standing over a handcuffed Crittenden as he sits near the gate.
“United sucks,” he reportedly shouted while being escorted away.
A fellow passenger told The New York Post that Crittenden had already secured a seat on another flight but was enraged over his travel ordeal.
United Airlines has since confirmed that the Maryland man is now banned from flying with the carrier.
The attack has reignited calls for tougher measures against violent airline passengers.
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), which represents airline employees, condemned the incident, stating that airline staff deserve a safe work environment.
“Our members deserve a workplace where they can focus on providing excellent customer service—not one where they fear being attacked by passengers,” IAM said in a statement.
“This latest incident is yet another example of the unacceptable rise in violence against frontline airline workers. Immediate action is needed to address it.”
IAM further warned that violence against airline employees is increasing, often with “minimal repercussions” for offenders.
“Any disruptive behavior—whether due to intoxication, aggression, or other factors—introduces unnecessary risks to airline operations,” the union said, urging the Department of Justice to enforce stricter penalties.
United Airlines and the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority have not yet commented on the incident.
The United States is expelling South Africa’s ambassador, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced, describing the envoy as a “race-baiting politician” with a deep-seated hatred for President Donald Trump.
Tensions between the two nations have worsened since Trump cut U.S. financial aid to South Africa, citing opposition to its land policies and its genocide case against Washington’s ally Israel at the International Court of Justice.
“Ebrahim Rasool is a race-baiting politician who hates America and hates @POTUS (Trump),” Rubio wrote on social media.
South Africa’s presidency and international relations department expressed regret over the decision but reaffirmed its commitment to fostering mutually beneficial relations. Officials stated that they would address the issue through diplomatic channels.
Rubio also shared an article from right-wing outlet **Breitbart**, which quoted Rasool as claiming Trump was leading a white supremacist movement. The State Department confirmed that Rasool must leave the U.S. by March 21.
According to **Semafor**, Rasool has struggled to secure routine meetings with State Department officials and key Republican figures since Trump, a Republican, took office in January.
The U.S. is currently reassessing its South Africa policy, the State Department spokesperson said, citing concerns over the country’s land policies, growing alliances with Russia and Iran, and its increasingly confrontational stance toward the U.S. and its allies.
“The U.S.-South Africa relationship has now reached its lowest point,” said Patrick Gaspard, former U.S. ambassador to South Africa. “There’s too much at stake not to work toward repairing this partnership.”
Rasool initially presented his credentials to then-President Joe Biden on January 13, just a week before Trump assumed office for his second term, according to the South African embassy’s website.
Trump has repeatedly claimed, without citing evidence, that “South Africa is confiscating land” and that “certain classes of people” are being treated “very badly.”
South African-born billionaire **Elon Musk**, a Trump ally, has also criticized South Africa’s land policies, stating that white South Africans have been targeted by “racist ownership laws.”
In January, **President Cyril Ramaphosa** signed a law facilitating land expropriation in cases deemed to be in the public interest, including instances where compensation may not be provided.
Ramaphosa has defended the policy as a measure to correct historical racial inequalities in land ownership, emphasizing that the government has not seized any land.
In response, Trump has offered to resettle white South African farmers and their families in the U.S. as refugees. The State Department, in coordination with the Department of Homeland Security, has begun implementing the plan, with initial interviews currently underway.
