
Tornadoes rip across US south, 45 dead
Dozens of tornadoes ripped across southern US states causing severe damage and killing at least 45 people, officials said on Wednesday.
Twenty-four people were killed in Tennessee, thirteen in Arkansas, and seven in Kentucky, officials in the three states said. CNN reported one fatality in Alabama.
More than 50 tornadoes touched down as a series of thunderstorms rare for the winter season rolled through the region late Tuesday and early on Wednesday.
Tornado watches were in effect as of 1400 GMT in parts of Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia, and the western Florida panhandle, the National Weather Service said.
“It took the whole house,” a woman told CNN. “I just got up and I thought it was a fire. We got up and there's no house left.”
Twisters knocked down a police radio tower, crushed the wall of a shopping mall and damaged a hangar at the Memphis airport, said Laura McPherson of the Tennessee Emergency Management Area.
“We're still trying to assess all the damage now that the sun is coming up,” she said, as storms continued to threaten the eastern part of the state, around Chattanooga.
Sixteen students were rescued from dormitories that collapsed at Union University in Jackson, Tennessee, and three were critically injured, she said.
The Red Cross moved 50 people trapped at a retirement center in Madison County to a shelter.

China lays out ambitious five-year targets at National People's Congress

Lawyers probing Cuomo have dealt political figures in high profile cases

Fully vaccinated people can gather without masks, CDC says

Kamala Harris to make UN debut as US VP at gender equality meeting

Myanmar protesters defy curfew; media outlets ordered shut

Wrongful death suit filed on behalf of Daniel Prude's kids
- The family claims in the lawsuit in US District Court that both the actions of the Rochester police and an “attempted cover-up” by the department and city government violated Prude's constitutional rights, attorneys for the family said.

In draft deal for Afghan peace, US wants Taliban in interim govt
- The US proposal states that a “transitional peace government of Afghanistan” will be formed once the peace agreement is signed

Suicide to racism: Harry, Meghan on royal mess
- In a two-hour tell-all interview by Oprah Winfrey, the legendary talk show host, the former royal couple painted a deeply unflattering picture of life inside the royal household.

US journalist arrested while covering protest goes on trial

UK Covid-19 deaths continue to fall as over one-third population inoculated

Italy's Covid-19 death toll tops 100,000

On Women's Day, Joe Biden creates gender policy council within White House

Vaccinated people can visit each other mask free, says CDC

Adviser urges China govt to use ‘fist and palm’ salute in times of pandemic
