Severe weather swept through the South and Midwest regions of the USA this weekend, causing heavy destruction. Tornadoes, dust storms, wildfires, and heavy rainfall killed more than three dozen people. The storms first hit states like Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Missouri, Arkansas, and Mississippi. Over the night, they reached the East Coast but have mostly moved offshore now.
In Missouri, at least 12 people lost their lives, and hundreds of homes, schools, and businesses were destroyed. The damage from two tornadoes in Arkansas shows they were likely EF-4 tornadoes, which are very powerful, just one level below the strongest category.
In Kansas, a sudden dust storm caused a terrible 71-vehicle pileup, killing eight people. Visibility dropped to almost zero due to the dust.
President Trump shared that he is closely watching the storm damage and has promised to support the recovery efforts.
Trump Administration Deports Hundreds of Venezuelans Using 200-Year-Old Law
In a controversial move, the Trump administration deported about 250 Venezuelan nationals this weekend. These individuals were accused of being members of the Venezuelan prison gang “Tren de Aragua”. What’s surprising is that Trump used a rarely-used law, the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, to carry out these deportations without giving the individuals a proper trial or due process.
This action raised legal questions. A federal judge, James Boasberg, quickly stepped in and expressed concern. He believes the law doesn’t give permission for such immediate deportations. The judge even asked to stop any planes already in the air, but unfortunately, the deportations had already happened.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) also took legal action to stop these deportations. They acted fast because once a person is deported to another country, U.S. courts have little control over the situation.
Boston Judge Raises Alarm Over Immigration Crackdown
In a related story, another federal judge in Boston is investigating claims that U.S. officials disobeyed his orders. A Lebanese doctor, Dr. Rasha Alawieh, who works legally in the U.S. as a kidney transplant specialist, was detained at the airport and deported back to Lebanon after visiting her family.
Shockingly, she was held for 36 hours, her phone was taken, and she had no way to contact anyone. Her lawyers even tried to stop the plane by calling the airport control tower. Today, the officials involved will explain their side of the story.
This incident, along with the Venezuelan deportations, is seen as Trump’s effort to fulfill his tough immigration promises.
Why Is Online College More Expensive Than In-Person Classes?
Another important update comes from the world of education. Online college courses are becoming more popular, but many students wonder – Why do online classes cost the same or even more than regular in-person classes?
A new survey of college online learning officers revealed:
- 83% of online programs cost as much or more than in-person programs.
- About 25% of universities charge extra “distance learning” fees.
- Public universities charge around $341 per credit for online classes versus $325 per credit for in-person classes.
This means an online degree costs about $41,000, compared to $39,000 for a regular degree.
Why is it so expensive?
Colleges say they spend a lot on:
- Providing advising and support services to online students.
- Helping online students whose academic performance might be weaker.
Interestingly, for the first time, more American students will study entirely online this year than fully in-person. However, there are hopes that prices may fall as competition increases from affordable, nonprofit institutions like Western Governors University and Southern New Hampshire University.
Global Ability Photography Challenge 2025: Talent Beyond Barriers
In a heartwarming story, the Global Ability Photography Challenge 2025 wrapped up successfully. This competition gives a platform to photographers with disabilities to showcase their unique perspectives.
Organized by Youth4Jobs, an Indian nonprofit, this year’s challenge received 320 entries from 14 countries. Eight winners were selected, each having different disabilities, including speech, hearing, intellectual disabilities, and low vision.
Renowned photographer Vicky Roy, one of the judges, said that photographers with disabilities tell stories differently and beautifully because of their unique life experiences.
Quick News You Shouldn’t Miss
- A four-person astronaut crew safely reached the International Space Station yesterday. This mission allows astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore to return to Earth after spending over nine months in space.
- NPR’s College Podcast Challenge has selected its top 10 finalists. One winner will soon be announced, taking home a $5,000 cash prize.
- The Vatican released a new photo of Pope Francis, who has been hospitalized for over a month due to bronchitis. The image shows him praying inside Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, offering hope to many well-wishers.
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