Italian coast guard finds 19 migrants dead and rescues 58 from dinghy off Lampedusa

ROME (AP) — Nineteen people were found dead and 58 rescued alive by the Italian coast guard, which intercepted a dinghy filled with migrants that was in distress about 80 nautical miles from the southern Italian island of Lampedusa on Tuesday night.

The Italian coast guard operated in the Libyan search and rescue area amid rough weather conditions, a spokesman said on Wednesday.

"We were the only one able to intervene, as there were no other ships or rescue teams in the area. Sea conditions were pretty extreme, with waves of more than 6-7 meters (20-23 feet)," said coast guard spokesman Roberto D'Arrigo.

D'Arrigo said the migrants had probably departed from Libya and the victims likely died of hypothermia, but the cause of the deaths still need to be verified.

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The survivors were brought to Lampedusa after a 10-hour trip and are now in the care of local health services, the coast guard said.

The tiny island of Lampedusa is the main entry point to Europe for migrantscrossing the Mediterranean Seafrom North Africa, with thousands dying during the perilous journey.

Most of the deaths have been attributed to small boats setting off from the coasts of Tunisia and Libya.

Themost recent deadly shipwreckoff Lampedusa happened in August last year, when a boat carrying nearly 100 migrants capsized in international waters, killing at least 26 people.

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April 01, 2026

Italian coast guard finds 19 migrants dead and rescues 58 from dinghy off Lampedusa

ROME (AP) — Nineteen people were found dead and 58 rescued alive by the Italian coast guard, which intercepted a dinghy f...

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Easter Holiday Weekend Weather Forecast: Wet East, Chilly Midwest, Nice West

Easter week is here, and this weekend's forecast has a pronounced split in the nation's weather as a storm system tracks across the eastern half of the country.

Let's break down the forecast each day this weekend to help you plan your holiday activities.

Saturday

-Where the weather looks great: In the West from the Rockies to the West Coast, it will be sunny in most areas with temperatures near or above average, and not nearly as hot asthe recent record heat wave.

-Where you'll need a jacket: Unfortunately, rain and thunderstorms are expected Saturday from the Great Lakes to eastern Texas and the lower Mississippi Valley. Some thunderstorms could be strong or severe with heavy rainfall, as well. In parts of the upper Midwest, snow is expected in the areas shown in blue or purple in the map below. And strong, chilly winds are expected in much of the Plains and upper Mississippi Valley behind a cold front.

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-Where it might be okay: We can't rule out a threat of some showers in parts of the East. But in most areas, they don't seem likely enough to postpone any Easter egg hunts, but it will turn wetter on Sunday. And while it will be breezy, it will also be much warmer than average in most of the East, with 70s and 80s as far north as parts of the mid-Atlantic.

(192-hours: Further beef up your forecast with our detailed, hour-by-hour breakdown for the next 8 days – only available on ourPremium Pro experience.)

Easter Sunday

-Fabulous holiday weather:Again, the West is the big winner on Sunday, with plenty of sunshine and temperatures generally warmer than average for the first Sunday in April, without the recent blistering heat.

-Rain jacket will be needed: Unfortunately, rain, perhaps with a clap of thunder, is likely in the East as a cold front slices through. It will also be quite windy with the front. Any sunrise Easter services planned outdoors in the Southeast may have to be moved indoors.

-A winter jacket needed: Sunday will be chilly and windy in the Midwest, with highs only in the 40s in the Great Lakes. Some snow showers may linger in parts of the western Great Lake snowbelts from northeast Minnesota into northern Wisconsin, Upper Michigan and western and northern Lower Michigan. Leave extra time to get to your Easter destination if traveling in these areas.

(FORECAST MAPS:Rain/Snow|Highs/Lows|Travel Planner)

Jonathan Erdman is a senior meteorologist at weather.com and has been covering national and international weather since 1996. Extreme and bizarre weather are his favorite topics. Reach out to him onBluesky,X (formerly Twitter)andFacebook.

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April 01, 2026

Easter Holiday Weekend Weather Forecast: Wet East, Chilly Midwest, Nice West

Easter week is here, and this weekend's forecast has a pronounced split in the nation's weather as a storm system...

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Naomi Girma set to return home to San Jose for USWNT match against Japan

Naomi Girma is going to play at home in Northern California with the U.S. national team later this monthfor the first time since a send-off gamefor the 2023 Women's World Cup.

US Women Roster Soccer

Coach Emma Hayes announced Wednesday that Girma, who was born in San Jose and played at nearby Stanford, will be on the roster when the U.S. plays the first ofthree matches against Japanon April 11 at San Jose's Pay Pal Park.

Her last U.S. national team appearance in her hometown was in a 2-0 victory over Wales ahead of the 2023 World Cup.

"Playing for the national team in the Bay always just feels like kind of surreal, and seeing a lot of people who come to support me, who were there when I was playing club soccer, just playing for fun, and being like, 'Wow, I can't believe that we're all here and we've made it this far.' So it always is really special for me," Girma said.

Girma's Stanford teammate Sophia Wilson was named to her first roster in 15 months after taking last year off for the birth of her daughter. Defender Tierna Davidson, who tore her ACL last season, will also return.

"I think it's a great test for us," Girma said about Japan. "They're a great side, just won the Asian Cup. And I think they're very organized in their defense, but then also in their attack and they bring something different to a lot of other opponents that we play. So I think it's always a good test for us to measure ourselves against them."

Girma plays professionally in England for Chelsea. She joined the Women's Super League clubin early 2025 on a $1.1 million transferfrom the San Diego Wave. This past weekend the defender scored her first WSL goal in a 4-3 victory over Aston Villa to move the Blues in to second in the standings behind Manchester City.

She made her debut for the national team in 2022. She has appeared in 52 games with the United States and played on the squad that won thegold medal at the Paris Olympics.

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Wilson was left off the U.S. roster for the recent SheBelieves Cup as she worked her way back from maternity leave with her club team, the Portland Thorns. Wilson has played in 58 games for the national team, scoring 24 goals, including three at the Olympics in France.

After the match in San Jose, the series against Japan will move to Seattle's Lumen Field on April 14. The final game is set for April 17 at Dick's Sporting Good's Park in Commerce City, Colorado.

The roster by position with club affiliation:

Goalkeepers: Jane Campbell (Houston Dash), Claudia Dickey (Seattle Reign), Phallon Tullis-Joyce (Manchester United).

Defenders: Tierna Davidson (Gotham FC), Emily Fox (Arsenal), Naomi Girma (Chelsea), Avery Patterson (Houston Dash), Lilly Reale (Gotham FC), Emily Sams (Angel City), Emily Sonnett (Gotham FC), Gisele Thompson (Angel City), Kennedy Wesley (San Diego Wave).

Midfielders: Sam Coffey (Manchester City), Lindsey Heaps (OL Lyonnes), Claire Hutton (Bay FC), Rose Lavelle (Gotham FC), Olivia Moultrie (Portland Thorns), Jaedyn Shaw (Gotham FC), Lily Yohannes (OL Lyonnes).

Forwards: Michelle Cooper (Kansas City Current), Jameese Joseph (Chicago Stars), Trinity Rodman (Washington Spirit), Emma Sears (Racing Louisville), Ally Sentnor (Kansas City Current), Alyssa Thompson (Chelsea), Sophia Wilson (Portland Thorns).

AP soccer:https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

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April 01, 2026

Naomi Girma set to return home to San Jose for USWNT match against Japan

Naomi Girma is going to play at home in Northern California with the U.S. national team later this monthfor the first tim...

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Umpire C.B. Bucknor in spotlight again over blatant missed call

Three days afterhaving six of his calls overturnedby MLB's newAutomated Balls and Strikes system, umpire C.B. Bucknor was in the spotlight once again Tuesday night.

Serving as the first-base umpire in Milwaukee for the Brewers' March 31 game against theTampa Bay Rays, Bucknor had one of the most blatant blown calls you'll ever see overturned by replay, leading to similar amused reactions in both dugouts.

The play occurred in the sixth inning with Milwaukee leading 4-2 and first baseman Jake Bauers at the plate. Bauers' line drive went off the glove of Rays second baseman Ben Williamson, who then threw wildly to first base.

The Rays retrieved the ball and tagged Bauers, whom Bucknor called out for failing to touch first base.

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As the television announcers pointed out, Bucknor didn't even seem to be looking at Bauers' foot as he clearly stepped on the first base bag.

It didn't take long for replay to overturn the call.

Bauers ended up stealing second base and coming around to score on Brandon Lockridge's RBI double asthe Brewers went on to a 6-2 win.

What the new MLB ABS system looked like in action

"I don't know what happened,"Bauers told reporters after the game, avoiding repeated opportunities to comment any further. "I'm just thankful to get on base and thankful to come around and score."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:C.B. Bucknor has blatant missed call reversed in Brewers-Rays game

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April 01, 2026

Umpire C.B. Bucknor in spotlight again over blatant missed call

Three days afterhaving six of his calls overturnedby MLB's newAutomated Balls and Strikes system, umpire C.B. Buck...

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Nevada lithium mine clears major hurdle despite conservationists' worries for rare wildflower

LAS VEGAS (AP) — A federal judge in Nevada has ruled against conservationists who wanted to stop a lithium-boron mine they said would harm anendangered wildflower.

The ruling marks a major legal victory for the 11-square-mile (28.49 square-kilometer) Rhyolite Ridge Lithium/Boron Mine Project in Esmeralda County, located between Reno and Las Vegas. The land holds the largest lithium and boron deposit in the world outside of Turkey, said Bernard Rowe, managing director of Ioneer, the Australia-based company behind the project.

U.S. District Judge Cristina Silva ruled Friday that the federal government properly approved the project and sufficiently examined the impacts the project will have on the rare wildflower called Tiehm's buckwheat, whose entire population grows within 10 acres (4.05 hectares) of land in the project area. Environmental groups behind the lawsuit say they may appeal.

Lithium is an essential component of electric vehicle batteries. Rhyolite Ridge would beNevada's third lithium mine, and one of few mines that will process the materials on site, Rowe said.

"Rhyolite Ridge will create hundreds of new American jobs, reduce reliance on foreign materials and processing, and provide a domestic source of two critical minerals," Chad Yeftich, vice president of corporate development and external affairs at Ioneer, said in a statement.

Growing US manufacturing

Ioneer wants construction to start by the end of this year and production in 2029, though it is still looking for a financial partner after a major investor pulled out last year. Sibanye Stillwater said the project did not make financial sense. In January 2025, the Department of Energy finalized a nearly $1 billion loan for the project.

The $2 billion mine would have a life span of over 77 years and would produce enough lithium carbonate for around 400,000 electric vehicles per year, Rowe said. It will also produce boric acid, which is used in pest control, flame retardant, and medical and personal care.

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Rhyolite Ridge wasfirst approved under the Biden administrationas an part of the former president's clean energy agenda. The Trump administration has alsosupported lithium projects in Nevadaas a way to bolster US manufacturing of critical minerals. The Interior Department declined to comment.

Protecting the wildflower

The Center for Biological Diversity, which haslong fought to protectthe wildflower and successfully pushed for its endangered species designation in 2022, is not finished in its fight, Great Basin Director Patrick Donnelly said.

His organization is considering appealing the ruling to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, arguing that the case could have implications for other species and protected habitats on the Endangered Species Act.

"This can seem like a little remote flower in the middle of nowhere. But if we lose on Tiehm's buckwheat, you know, what else are we facing with the whittling away of the Endangered Species Act?" Donnelly said.

Tiehm's buckwheat is a wildflower a couple inches tall that grows in an area the size of seven football fields in the Silver Peak Range. In the spring, the plant produces green leaves and yellow flowers that look like pom-poms. When it blooms, it is the epicenter of a vibrant pollinator community, Donnelly said.

Silva, a Biden-nominated judge, found Ioneer's mitigation efforts, which include fencing around the habitat and buffer zones between the mining activities and the buckwheat, were sufficient for the purposes of the Endangered Species Act. Silva wrote that of the buckwheat's 1.4 square mile (3.63 square kilometers) of critical habitat, it will lose 4.9% due to the project.

Donnelly maintains the mining project will increase the risk of the wildflower going extinct, which would affect the ecosystem's biodiversity. He cast doubt that fencing around the flower's habitat will protect it.

"There's been this kind of death by a thousand cuts for Tiehm's buckwheat," Donnelly said, adding that if it were to move forward, it would be the "death blow" for the wildflower.

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April 01, 2026

Nevada lithium mine clears major hurdle despite conservationists' worries for rare wildflower

LAS VEGAS (AP) — A federal judge in Nevada has ruled against conservationists who wanted to stop a lithium-boron mine the...

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Argentina designates Iran's IRGC a terrorist organization, aligning with US

BUENOS AIRES, March 31 (Reuters) - Argentina has designated Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) ‌as a terrorist organization, its presidential office ‌said in a statement on Tuesday, following a push ​from the Trump administration for allies to do so.

Argentina attributed the measure to the IRGC's backing for Lebanon-based Hezbollah, which it blames ‌for the deadliest ⁠bombing in the South American nation's history, a 1994 attack on ⁠the AMIA Jewish community center in Buenos Aires that killed 85 and injured hundreds.

The presidential ​office said ​the measure allows ​for the implementation of ‌financial sanctions and other operational restrictions.

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The IRGC is an elite military force whose purpose is to protect Shi'ite Muslim clerical rule in Iran. It controls large parts of Iran's ‌economy.

Both the IRGC and ​Hezbollah are already designated as ​terrorist groups ​by the United States and some ‌other countries.

Days earlier, Argentina's government ​also designated ​Mexico's Jalisco New Generation Cartel as a terrorist organization, further aligning the government ​of President ‌Javier Milei with Washington.

(Reporting by Walter Bianchi ​and Sarah Morland; Editing by Sonali ​Paul and Kevin Buckland)

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April 01, 2026

Argentina designates Iran's IRGC a terrorist organization, aligning with US

BUENOS AIRES, March 31 (Reuters) - Argentina has designated Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) ‌as a ter...

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Max Scherzer pitches six innings to win first start of season as Blue Jays beat Rockies 5-1

TORONTO (AP) — Max Scherzer gave up four hits in six solid innings to win his first start of the season, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. reached base four times, and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Colorado Rockies 5-1 on Tuesday night.

Rockies Blue Jays Baseball

Scherzer (1-0) allowed one run, walked one and struck out four. The three-time Cy Young Award winner has 3,493 career strikeouts.

Mason Fluharty got two outs, Brayon Fisher went 1 1/3 innings and Jeff Hoffman pitched the ninth.

Hunter Goodman hit a solo home run off Scherzer in the sixth but the Rockies lost for the fourth time in five games.

Colorado is 2-12 in franchise history in Toronto.

Toronto's Jesús Sánchez hit an RBI single off Jaden Hill in the fifth and Guerrero followed with a bases-loaded walk.

Guerrero went 2 for 3 with two walks. He drove in a run and scored once.

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Rockies right-handerRyan Feltner exited two batters after he was struck by a 106 mph line drivein the third inning. Colorado said Feltner left because of a right glute contusion.

Feltner retired the first eight batters in order before he was struck by Andrés Giménez's liner near his hip. The ball bounced away for a single.

Manager Warren Schaeffer and the trainer checked on Feltner, who remained in the game. George Springer followed with a walk but Feltner retired Sánchez on the first pitch.

Feltner struck out four in three innings. Juan Mejia (0-1) took over in the fourth.

Kazuma Okamoto, Nathan Lukes and Ernie Clement all had RBI hits off Zach Agnos in the bottom of the seventh.

Up next

Blue Jays RHP Kevin Gausman (0-0, 1.50 ERA) is scheduled to start Wednesday's series finale against Rockies LHP Kyle Freeland (0-1, 4.15).

AP MLB:https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

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April 01, 2026

Max Scherzer pitches six innings to win first start of season as Blue Jays beat Rockies 5-1

TORONTO (AP) — Max Scherzer gave up four hits in six solid innings to win his first start of the season, Vladimir Guerrer...

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