Authorities are investigating a tragic highway crash that killed four people and critically injured two others after multiple tractor-trailers collided with passenger vehicles on an Arizona interstate Saturday afternoon.
Thick smoke blanketed the roadway as firefighters worked to extinguish flames from at least seven burning vehicles. The wreck led to extensive road closures and significant traffic disruptions west of Phoenix.
According to the Arizona Department of Public Safety, six additional people sustained injuries, with five treated and released from the hospital. The fatal crash occurred near Tonopah, approximately 50 miles west of Phoenix.
At least two tractor-trailers came to rest on the highway shoulder, while multiple passenger vehicles were crumpled together, charred and covered in soot.
Authorities are examining whether an initial crash—potentially triggered by poor visibility due to blowing dust—set off a chain reaction of secondary collisions.
Emergency responders from three fire departments rushed to the scene, deploying over 20 units to manage the crisis, Arizona Fire and Medical Authority spokesperson Matt Licardi said.
The crash involved multiple tractor-trailers, several passenger vehicles, and an RV. Eight people were transported to hospitals, with one critically injured victim airlifted by helicopter.
The investigation remains ongoing as officials work to determine the exact cause of the deadly collision.
President Donald Trump announced Monday that 25% tariffs on imports from Mexico and Canada will take effect Tuesday, igniting fears of a renewed North American trade war. The move, aimed at pressuring the U.S.’s two closest trading partners on border security and drug trafficking, also threatens to drive up inflation and disrupt supply chains.
“Tomorrow—tariffs 25% on Canada and 25% on Mexico. And that’ll start,” Trump told reporters in the Roosevelt Room. “They’re going to have to have a tariff.”
Trump has framed the tariffs as a way to push both nations to combat fentanyl smuggling and illegal immigration, but he has also pointed to economic goals, including reducing trade imbalances and encouraging factory relocations to the U.S.
His announcement rattled financial markets, with the S&P 500 dropping 2% in afternoon trading. The move underscores the political and economic risks Trump is willing to take, despite concerns over rising costs for businesses and consumers.
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick defended the tariffs, pointing to Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) expanding its U.S. investment as an example of how the administration’s trade policies are attracting foreign investment.
Trump also reaffirmed that tariffs on Chinese imports, currently at 10%, will double to 20% on Tuesday.
In February, he granted Mexico and Canada a temporary reprieve after they pledged trade concessions. However, Trump made it clear Monday that there would be “no room left for Mexico or for Canada” to avoid the full 25% rate. Canadian energy products, including oil and electricity, will face a slightly lower 10% tariff.
“If Trump is imposing tariffs, we are ready,” said Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly. “We are ready with $155 billion worth of tariffs, and we’re ready with the first tranche of tariffs, which is $30 billion.”
Joly emphasized Canada’s commitment to maintaining a strong border plan, stating that diplomatic discussions with U.S. officials were ongoing.
Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum acknowledged Trump’s authority over the decision but hinted at potential countermeasures.
“It’s a decision that depends on the United States government,” Sheinbaum said. “Whatever his decision is, we will make our decisions, and there is a plan—there is unity in Mexico.”
Both nations have taken action in response to Trump’s concerns. Mexico deployed 10,000 National Guard troops to its northern border to crack down on drug trafficking and illegal immigration. Canada appointed a fentanyl czar to address opioid smuggling, despite minimal evidence of fentanyl entering the U.S. from Canada.
Even as late as Sunday, Trump’s final decision on the tariffs remained uncertain. Lutnick described the situation as “fluid,” suggesting last-minute negotiations were still in play.
“He’s sort of thinking about right now how exactly he wants to play it with Mexico and Canada,” Lutnick said on Fox News’ “Sunday Morning Futures.” “And that is a fluid situation. There are going to be tariffs on Tuesday on Mexico and Canada. Exactly what they are, we’re going to leave that for the president and his team to negotiate.”
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent revealed that Mexico had offered to impose 20% tariffs on Chinese imports as part of trade negotiations with the U.S.
Bessent also insisted that China, not U.S. businesses or consumers, would bear the cost of the tariffs. However, major companies like Ford and Walmart have warned about the potential impact on supply chains and consumer prices.
Economic studies from the Peterson Institute for International Economics and Yale University’s Budget Lab estimate that the average American family could see price increases exceeding $1,000 annually due to the tariffs.
“There’s no doubt this will have a disruptive effect on businesses,” said Eswar Prasad, an economist at Cornell University. “Companies will face supply chain disruptions, and inflationary pressures could increase.”
Prasad noted that a stronger U.S. dollar might offset some of the cost increases but could also make American exports less competitive, potentially widening the trade imbalance rather than reducing it.
Trump has also announced plans to introduce “reciprocal tariffs” in April, which would match the rates imposed by other countries, including adjustments for subsidies and value-added taxes.
Additionally, exemptions from Trump’s 2018 tariffs on steel and aluminum will be removed, with new tariffs set to hit industries such as automobiles, computer chips, copper, and pharmaceuticals.
As tensions escalate, all eyes will be on Mexico and Canada to see how they respond—and whether the U.S. economy can absorb the shock of Trump’s aggressive trade policies.
Anora, a bold dramedy about a Brooklyn sex worker’s whirlwind romance with a Russian oligarch’s son, took home Best Picture at the 97th Academy Awards on Sunday, capping a triumphant night for filmmaker Sean Baker. The indie director won three additional Oscars for Best Original Screenplay, Best Editing, and Best Director. Rising star Mikey Madison earned Best Actress for her role in the film.
“I want to thank the Academy for recognizing a truly independent film,” Baker said in his final acceptance speech, crediting the film’s success to “the blood, sweat, and tears of incredible indie artists.”
Elsewhere in the ceremony, The Brutalist, a historical drama about a Hungarian Holocaust survivor, secured three wins, including Best Actor for Adrien Brody. Kieran Culkin won Best Supporting Actor for his role in A Real Pain, a heartfelt comedy about two cousins reconnecting in Poland.
Big-budget hits also had their moments: Dune: Part Two, the genre-bending musical Emilia Pérez, and Universal’s Wicked adaptation each won two Oscars. Hosted by Conan O’Brien, the nearly four-hour ceremony was packed with emotional speeches, a heartfelt tribute to Hollywood legend Gene Hackman, and dazzling musical performances.
Here’s a look at the standout moments from the night:
Winning Best Supporting Actress for Emilia Pérez, Zoe Saldaña broke down in tears as she dedicated her award to her family’s immigrant journey.
“My grandmother came to this country in 1961,” she said. “I am a proud child of immigrant parents, and I know I will not be the last American of Dominican origin to stand on this stage.”
Saldaña’s win was one of Emilia Pérez’s two awards, the other being Best Original Song.
The Oscar for Best Documentary Feature went to No Other Land, a film about a Palestinian village under Israeli military occupation.
Co-director Basel Adra, a Palestinian activist, said, “Two months ago, I became a father, and my hope is that my daughter will not have to live the same life I am living now.”
Israeli co-director Yuval Abraham added: “We made this film together because our voices are stronger united. The destruction of Gaza must end. The hostages from October 7 must be freed. We need a political solution with national rights for both of our people.”
During the In Memoriam segment, Morgan Freeman paid tribute to Hollywood icon Gene Hackman, who passed away earlier this year.
“Gene always said he didn’t think about legacy—he just wanted to be remembered for doing good work,” Freeman said. “Gene, you will be remembered for that—and so much more.”
Hackman, a two-time Oscar winner, was found dead in his Santa Fe home under circumstances that authorities have deemed “suspicious.”
The night was filled with high-energy performances, including an opening number from Wicked stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo. The duo sang a medley of Over the Rainbow, Home, and Defying Gravity, celebrating the long-awaited big-screen adaptation.
A tribute to the James Bond franchise featured The Substance actress Margaret Qualley in a dance performance, followed by musical numbers from Lisa (BLACKPINK), Doja Cat, and RAYE covering iconic Bond themes.
Near the ceremony’s close, Queen Latifah brought the house down with Ease on Down the Road in honor of legendary music producer Quincy Jones.
With Anora’s dominant wins and emotionally charged speeches, the 97th Academy Awards will be remembered as a night celebrating independent cinema, global voices, and show-stopping entertainment.
A Russian hypersonic missile reportedly struck a Panama-flagged cargo ship in Odesa shortly after its arrival, Ukrainian officials said Sunday. The attack injured two port workers and caused significant damage to infrastructure, according to local authorities.
Russia claimed responsibility for the strike, alleging the MSC Levante was transporting military equipment to Ukraine. Ukrainian officials have not confirmed these claims.
The Russian Telegram channel *Talipov Online* reported that the vessel had loaded additional containers in Turkey, allegedly containing British sea drones and NATO-supplied weaponry. The ship was hit by two missiles at berth number two around 6 p.m., according to the report. Following the explosion, the cargo was destroyed, and the ship sank.
Images circulating on social media purportedly show the vessel in Odesa before the strike. While reports suggest the ship was carrying military supplies for Kyiv, these claims remain unverified.
Odesa regional governor Oleg Kiper confirmed a missile attack on port infrastructure and a civilian vessel. “The enemy fired a ballistic missile at Odesa, damaging the port and a ship under the flag of Panama, owned by a European company,” he said.
Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Kuleba later confirmed that a second vessel was also hit. President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that at least 20 foreign merchant ships have been damaged in previous Russian attacks.
The strike comes ahead of a critical NATO summit in London, where European leaders will discuss military aid and diplomatic efforts for Ukraine. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that the UK, France, and Ukraine are working on a ceasefire proposal to present to U.S. President Donald Trump in an effort to revive stalled peace talks.
Starmer, who recently met with Zelensky at 10 Downing Street, reaffirmed the UK’s support for Ukraine. “Britain will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes,” he said.
The London summit is expected to address broader European defense cooperation, including discussions on the potential deployment of a European military force to Ukraine. Key NATO and EU leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, are attending.
As tensions escalate, European allies seek to maintain unity in supporting Ukraine while navigating complex diplomatic negotiations with the U.S. and Russia.
MANNHEIM, Germany — A speeding SUV plowed into a crowd in downtown Mannheim, Germany, on Sunday, killing two people and injuring 25 others, authorities confirmed. The incident occurred near the city’s historic water tower, prompting a major emergency response.
Eyewitnesses reported that a black SUV accelerated from Paradplatz, a popular tourist area, before crashing into pedestrians. Emergency responders arrived swiftly, and police urged residents to remain indoors while they investigated the cause.
According to *Bild*, 15 of the injured victims are in serious condition. Mannheim police confirmed one fatality initially, with a second death later reported. The driver was arrested at the scene.
Debris from the vehicle was scattered near the Strohmarkt stop. Officials classified the incident as a “life-threatening deployment situation,” and helicopters were deployed to assist emergency personnel.
Police spokesperson Stefan Wilhelm told *n-tv* that authorities responded to the crash at approximately 12:15 p.m. in Paradeplatz, leading to a large-scale security operation. However, he did not provide further details.
It remains unclear whether the crash was accidental or intentional. Videos circulating on social media showed paramedics rushing to assist victims as Mannheim University Hospital declared a disaster alert.
A warning was issued through the Katwarn app, advising residents to avoid the downtown area due to the ongoing police response. The app is used to notify the public about major emergencies, including attacks and natural disasters.
Mannheim, a city of about 300,000 residents located south of Frankfurt, has witnessed growing security concerns following recent violent incidents across Germany.
The crash comes weeks after a fatal car attack in Munich, where a vehicle rammed into a demonstration, killing a mother and her two-year-old child and injuring 28 others. The Bavarian government labeled it a “suspected attack.”
Authorities continue to investigate the Mannheim incident, with additional security measures being considered across Germany in response to recent violent events.
Hamas has rejected an Israeli request to extend the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire, a senior official confirmed on Sunday, as tensions escalate over aid restrictions and stalled negotiations.
Mahmoud Mardawi, a Hamas official, told Al Jazeera that the militant group would only release the remaining Israeli hostages under the terms of the already agreed-upon phased deal.
The Israeli proposal, backed by U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, sought to extend the first phase of the ceasefire through Ramadan and Passover, lasting until April 20. However, Hamas insists on moving to the next phase of negotiations as originally agreed.
Following Hamas’ refusal, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office announced a halt to all goods and supplies entering Gaza, accusing Hamas of rejecting the “Witkoff outline” for extending negotiations.
Hamas denounced the move as “a war crime and a blatant attack” on the truce, which took a year of negotiations before coming into effect in January.
Regional leaders have also condemned Israel’s decision. Egypt’s foreign minister called the blockade an attempt to use “starvation as a weapon” and a “flagrant violation of humanitarian law,” while Saudi Arabia labeled it “a tool of extortion.”
The first phase of the ceasefire, which expired on Saturday, had allowed a surge in humanitarian aid into Gaza. However, negotiations for the second phase, scheduled to begin a month ago, have yet to start.
Israel has warned of “additional consequences” if Hamas does not agree to its proposal. Under the U.S.-backed plan, Hamas would release half of the remaining hostages on the first day and the rest upon reaching an agreement on a permanent ceasefire.
Hamas currently holds 59 hostages, 35 of whom are believed to be dead, after abducting approximately 250 people during its October 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel, which killed 1,200 people.
Israel’s military response has resulted in over 48,000 Palestinian deaths, widespread displacement, and the destruction of Gaza’s infrastructure and health system, according to Palestinian health officials.
The International Committee of the Red Cross has warned that unraveling the ceasefire risks plunging people “back into despair,” while UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher called Israel’s aid blockade “alarming” and a violation of international humanitarian law.
Medical charity Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) accused Israel of using aid as a “bargaining chip,” calling the move “unacceptable” and “outrageous.”
Since the ceasefire began on January 19, approximately 600 aid trucks have entered Gaza daily, helping to alleviate famine concerns raised by international experts.
Despite the rising tensions, Israeli officials confirmed a delegation would arrive in Cairo to discuss ways to keep ceasefire negotiations on track.
A Delta Air Lines flight bound for New Orleans made an emergency return to Boston Logan International Airport on Sunday morning after a “smoky odor” was detected in the cabin shortly after takeoff, airline officials confirmed.
Delta Flight 1398, an Airbus A220 carrying 92 passengers and crew, had just departed for Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport when the crew reported fumes in both the flight deck and cabin, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
The flight crew immediately declared an emergency to receive priority clearance from air traffic control, and the aircraft safely returned to Boston at approximately 9:35 a.m. No injuries were reported.
Delta stated that it is working to accommodate passengers and ensure they reach their destination “as quickly and safely as possible.”
The FAA has launched an investigation into the incident to determine the cause of the fumes.
Israel blocked the entry of aid trucks into Gaza on Sunday as ceasefire tensions escalated, with Hamas urging Egyptian and Qatari mediators to intervene in stalled negotiations.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office announced that it had accepted a U.S.-backed proposal from President Donald Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, for a temporary truce covering the Ramadan and Passover periods. The deal would extend the ceasefire until the end of Ramadan on March 31 and the Jewish holiday of Passover on April 20, contingent on Hamas releasing half of the remaining hostages on the first day and the rest at the conclusion, pending a permanent ceasefire agreement.
However, Hamas rejected the temporary extension, insisting on the terms of the originally agreed ceasefire, which was set to enter a second phase involving negotiations for a lasting end to hostilities. Senior Hamas official Mahmoud Mardawi told Al Jazeera that the group would only release remaining Israeli hostages under the agreed phased deal.
As tensions mounted, local health officials reported that Israeli forces had shot and killed four Palestinians in separate incidents in northern and southern Gaza. The Israeli military claimed the individuals were suspected of planting explosives near its troops, prompting an airstrike.
Egyptian officials confirmed that Israeli representatives in Cairo had sought to prolong the first phase of the ceasefire by 42 days, while Hamas insisted on advancing to the second phase. Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem accused Israel of attempting to manipulate the terms of the truce.
During the initial ceasefire phase, Hamas released 33 Israeli hostages along with five Thai captives in an unscheduled gesture, while Israel freed approximately 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. Israeli troops also withdrew from certain positions in Gaza. The second phase was meant to include negotiations for the release of the remaining 59 hostages, a full Israeli withdrawal, and an end to the war. However, talks never materialized, with Israel demanding that all hostages be freed before halting military operations.
“Israel will not allow a ceasefire without the release of our hostages,” Netanyahu’s office declared, announcing the suspension of aid shipments into Gaza. “If Hamas persists in its refusal, there will be additional consequences.”
Hamas condemned Israel’s move as “blackmail” and a “blatant coup against the agreement.” The group called on mediators to pressure Israel into honoring the truce terms, warning that its refusal to do so jeopardized further negotiations. Senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri told Reuters that the blockade would not coerce the group into concessions.
Later on Sunday, Israeli officials confirmed that a delegation would head to Cairo for discussions aimed at easing tensions and maintaining the ceasefire.
Speaking at a press conference with his Croatian counterpart, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar stated that Palestinians in Gaza would not receive aid “for free” and that negotiations should be directly tied to the release of hostages. He claimed the U.S. “understands” Israel’s decision to halt aid deliveries and blamed Hamas for the current impasse.
Despite accusations from both sides of ceasefire violations, the truce has largely held for six weeks, facilitating the hostage-prisoner exchange. However, major disagreements persist over a permanent resolution, including governance of postwar Gaza and the role of Hamas, which launched the October 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel that killed 1,200 people and resulted in 251 hostages being taken into Gaza.
Israel’s subsequent military campaign has killed more than 48,000 Palestinians, displaced nearly all of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents, and left the enclave in ruins.
Israel insists that Hamas must be dismantled and cannot be part of any future governing structure in Gaza. It also rejects reinstating the Palestinian Authority, which governs parts of the occupied West Bank. Hamas, while signaling it would not insist on retaining power, demands a say in Gaza’s postwar administration.
Further complicating matters is Trump’s controversial proposal to relocate Gaza’s Palestinian population and redevelop the territory under U.S. ownership, a plan that has drawn widespread condemnation.
As diplomatic efforts continue, the crisis in Gaza remains dire, with humanitarian aid blocked and negotiations deadlocked, leaving millions at risk amid growing regional instability.
A U.S. judge ruled Saturday that President Donald Trump’s decision to fire the head of a federal watchdog agency was illegal, marking an early test of presidential authority that could ultimately reach the U.S. Supreme Court.
U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson determined that Trump lacked the power to remove Hampton Dellinger, the head of the Office of Special Counsel, an agency responsible for protecting whistleblowers. Jackson had previously allowed Dellinger to remain in his role while the case was under review.
In her ruling, Jackson stated that granting Trump the ability to dismiss Dellinger would effectively give him “a constitutional license to bully officials in the executive branch into doing his will.”
The Justice Department quickly filed an appeal late Saturday, seeking to overturn the ruling at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia.
Dellinger, who was appointed by Democratic President Joe Biden and confirmed by the Senate for a five-year term, welcomed the decision. “I am grateful to see the court confirm the importance and legality of the job protections Congress afforded my position,” he told Reuters in an email. He vowed to continue efforts to protect federal employees and whistleblowers from unlawful treatment.
Trump administration lawyers argued that the court’s decision to keep Dellinger in office unlawfully restricted Trump’s authority over executive branch officials. However, Jackson, an Obama appointee, rejected their claims, stating that the Special Counsel’s role is to investigate unethical and unlawful conduct affecting federal employees and to safeguard whistleblowers from retaliation.
“It would be ironic, to say the least, and inimical to the ends furthered by the statute if the Special Counsel himself could be chilled in his work by fear of arbitrary or partisan removal,” Jackson wrote in her decision.
The Supreme Court, which has already delayed ruling on the case, may soon weigh in on the matter. Trump has sought to curtail the independence of several federal agencies, including the Federal Trade Commission, the Securities and Exchange Commission, and the Federal Communications Commission. A ruling in Dellinger’s case could have significant implications for the limits of presidential authority over agency heads.
Jackson emphasized that her ruling was “extremely narrow” and did not broadly curtail Trump’s executive powers. “This is the only single-headed agency left for the courts to consider, and it is unlike any of them,” she noted.
Acting Solicitor General Sarah Harris argued that Dellinger’s continued tenure was obstructing the Trump administration’s policies, pointing to his intervention on Tuesday in blocking the firings of six probationary government workers the administration had sought to remove.
With the case now heading for appeal, legal experts anticipate further battles over the balance of power between the executive branch and independent federal agencies.
Nine people were arrested Saturday during a large-scale protest outside a Tesla dealership in New York City, as demonstrators rallied against Elon Musk’s involvement in sweeping federal workforce reductions under President Donald Trump’s administration.
The protest, which drew hundreds, was part of a coordinated “Tesla Takedown” movement, with similar demonstrations occurring across the country. Protesters targeted Musk, who is leading the Trump administration’s newly formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), an initiative driving extensive cuts to federal jobs.
Demonstrations also erupted at Tesla showrooms in Jacksonville, Florida; Tucson, Arizona; and other cities, where protesters blocked traffic, chanted slogans, and held signs reading “Burn a Tesla: Save Democracy” and “No Dictators in the USA.”
Musk, the world’s richest person, is spearheading an unprecedented effort to downsize the federal government. This initiative has led to thousands of job terminations and the cancellation of hundreds of federal aid contracts and leases.
Tesla and the White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Some federal agencies have reportedly attempted to rehire key personnel, including nuclear weapons specialists, infectious disease scientists combating a worsening bird flu outbreak, and officials managing energy distribution.
Since Trump took office on January 20, more than 100,000 of the 2.3 million federal employees have either accepted buyouts or been dismissed.
“We are taking action at Tesla, Musk’s flagship company,” organizers stated on the website actionnetwork.org, urging people to divest from Tesla stock and “join the picket lines.”
“Detaching Musk from Tesla would deal a significant blow to this administration, as it strikes at what they value most: money and power,” actor and filmmaker Alex Winter wrote in a Rolling Stone article. Winter has publicly supported and helped organize the protests.
