Israel sends troops into southern Lebanon as Hezbollah says it is ready for open war

BEIRUT (AP) — Israel sent additional troops into southern Lebanon Tuesday and ordered residents of more than 80 villages to evacuate as the Iran-backed Hezbollah militant group said it is ready for an open war, escalating the already volatile situation in the region.

APTOPIX Lebanon Israel Iran

The latest exchanges started after Hezbollah fired rockets and drones early Monday toward northern Israel. Israel retaliated with awave of airstrikesthat killed 52 people in Lebanon, including a Palestinian militant and a Hezbollah intelligence official in Beirut's southern suburbs. More than 150 people were wounded and tens of thousands displaced.

Hezbollah said Tuesday morning it fired two salvos of rockets toward northern Israel while Israeli airstrikes overnight damaged a building housing Hezbollah's TV and radio stations. Beirut's southern suburbs were subjected to a series of strikes in the early afternoon Tuesday that came without warning, and the Israeli military later said it targeted Hezbollah officials.

The Israeli military's Arabic spokesman, Avichay Adraee, issued a warning for residents of more than 80 villages and towns asking them to leave, adding that people should not return to these areas until further notice.

A senior Hezbollah official said that after more than a year of abiding by a ceasefire as Israel's strikes continued on Lebanon, the group's patience has ended, leaving it with no option "but to return to resistance" and fight an open war with Israel.

"The Zionist enemy wanted an open war, which it has not stopped since the ceasefire agreement," Mohamoud Komati said "So let it be an open war."

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun told the ambassadors of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the U.S., France and Egypt Tuesday that Hezbollah has been firing rockets from areas north of the Litani river. The Lebanese government says it has disarmed Hezbollah south of the river, along the border with Israel, and Lebanese troops are in full control of the area between the river and the border.

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Shortly before Aoun spoke, the Israeli military said it has sent additional troops into southern Lebanon and took new positions on several strategic points close to the border, while Lebanon's state-run National News Agency said the Lebanese army was evacuating some of its positions along the border.

Adraee, the spokesman, posted on X that the troops' move inside Lebanon is part of efforts to bolster the forward defense system and create an addition layer of security.

A Lebanese military official confirmed to The Associated Press that Israeli troops moved into several areas in Lebanon, adding that the Lebanese army is "repositioning" in the area.

The U.N. peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon, known as UNIFIL, said its peacekeepers observed Israeli forces crossing into Lebanon in several areas Tuesday morning "before returning south of the Blue Line," referring to the border between the two countries.

Israel launched aground invasion of Lebanonin October 2024 during its last war with Hezbollah. It withdrew from most of southern Lebanon after a U.S.-brokered ceasefire halted the fighting in November 2024 but has continued to occupy five points on the Lebanese side of the border since then.

After the ceasefire, Israel continued to carry out near-daily strikes, primarily in southern Lebanon, saying that Hezbollah has been trying to rebuild its forces in the area.

Hezbollah launched rockets into Israel a day after the militant Palestinian group Hamas attacked southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, triggering the war in Gaza. After months of low-level fighting, the conflict escalated into a full-scale war in September 2024 before a U.S. brokered ceasefire nominally halted the fighting two months later.

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March 03, 2026

Israel sends troops into southern Lebanon as Hezbollah says it is ready for open war

BEIRUT (AP) — Israel sent additional troops into southern Lebanon Tuesday and ordered residents of more than 80 villages ...

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UK's Reeves promises stability against backdrop of Middle East conflict

By William Schomberg and David Milliken

British Chancellor of the Exchequer Reeves outside 11 Downing Street ahead of presenting the Spring Forecast to Parliament, in London

LONDON, March 3 (Reuters) - British finance minister Rachel Reeves said she would provide stability for the economy in a budget update speech on Tuesday that contained no big policy surprises and was overshadowed by alarm among investors over ‌the conflict in the Middle East.

Reeves said fresh forecasts showed inflation and borrowing would be lower than previously thought by Britain's fiscal ‌watchdog, although its economic growth projection for this year was cut to 1.1% from a previous estimate of 1.4%.

Those forecasts may soon be overtaken by the impact of the U.S.-Israeli war against ​Iran which has sent British government borrowing costs soaring on worries about the global surge in energy prices.

"This government has the right economic plan for our country, a plan that is even more important in a world that in the last few days has become yet more uncertain," Reeves said in her speech to parliament.

"It is incumbent on me and on this government to chart a course through that uncertainty, to secure our economy against shocks and protect families from the ‌turbulence that we see beyond our borders."

PROMISE OF STABILITY ⁠IN TURBULENT TIMES

Reeves stressed the need for predictability in government policy as well as investment in infrastructure, accusing the previous Conservative administration of allowing inflation to soar and interest rates to rise to a 15-year high.

"Stability is the single most ⁠important precondition for economic growth," she said.

Reeves is hoping that a period of policymaking stability - after the political turmoil triggered by the Brexit vote 10 years ago - will encourage businesses to invest.

Many employers say higher taxes and other costs imposed on them by Reeves are deterring them from hiring.

In her speech on Tuesday, Reeves said she ​would ​set out proposals for closer post-Brexit trade ties with the European Union in the ​coming weeks and the government would set out reforms for ‌reducing youth unemployment, which has risen sharply.

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However, her economic programme could be tested in the coming months if the financial fallout from the conflict in the Middle East is sustained.

Britain still has the highest inflation among the Group of Seven economies, which has prevented the Bank of England from cutting interest rates as quickly as other central banks.

Higher inflation also saddles the government with a bigger bill for its inflation-linked bonds.

Government bond yields surged for a second day in a row earlier on Tuesday as investors worried that a doubling of gas prices, if sustained, might prevent the BoE from cutting borrowing costs this ‌year.

Benchmark wholesale gas prices, which make up the largest single portion of Britain's domestic ​energy price cap, have doubled this week, which if sustained could push up the next ​pricing level for the July-to-September period.

Oil prices have risen 15%, leading ​to calls from some motoring groups for the government to reverse an end to the fuel duty freeze currently expected ‌in September.

Pressure has grown on Keir Starmer after his Labour Party ​suffered defeat in an election for ​a parliamentary seat last week. There are questions about how long Starmer will remain in Downing Street, with local elections in May seen as the next big test of his political future.

But Reeves stuck to her promise not to make major fiscal policy changes outside full budget ​statements, which take place in the autumn.

The Office for ‌Budget Responsibility's forecasts showed Reeves had 23.6 billion pounds ($31.4 billion) of so-called headroom for meeting her main fiscal target.

At the time of ​her last full budget speech in November, that room for manoeuvre was judged to stand at almost 22 billion pounds.

($1 = 0.7510 ​pounds)

(Additional reporting by Susanna Twidale; Writing by William Schomberg; Editing by Hugh Lawson)

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March 03, 2026

UK's Reeves promises stability against backdrop of Middle East conflict

By William Schomberg and David Milliken British Chancellor of the Exchequer Reeves outside 11 Downing Street a...

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NHL trade deadline tracker: Analysis on all of the big moves

TheNHLtrade deadline is at 3 p.m. ET on March 6, but teams like to get deals done early, too.

Already this season, theMinnesota Wildhave acquired defensemanQuinn Hughesfrom theVancouver Canucks, and theLos Angeles Kingshave traded for high-scoringNew York RangersforwardArtemi Panarin.

In the latest deal, theEdmonton Oilersacquired defensemanConnor Murphyfrom theChicago Blackhawkson Monday, March 2.

Plenty of players remain, and the Rangers, Canucks,St. Louis BluesandCalgary Flamesare expected to be sellers. Other teams could be, too, depending on how they fare this week.

Here are some of the more notable trades this season. Follow along for analysis on deals as the NHL trade deadline approaches:

Feb. 4: The Los Angeles Kings acquired left wing Artemi Panarin from the New York Rangers in exchange for forward Liam Greentree and conditional third-round (2026) and fourth-round (2028) picks.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Jan. 27: The New York Islanders acquired left wing Ondrej Palat, a 2026 third-round pick and a 2027 sixth-round pick from the New Jersey Devils in exchange for forward Maxim Tsyplakov.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Jan. 20: The San Jose Sharks acquire forward Kiefer Sherwood from the Vancouver Canucks for second-round picks in 2026 and 2027, plus defenseman Cole Clayton.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Jan. 16: The Anaheim Ducks acquire winger Jeffrey Viel from the Boston Bruins for a 2026 fourth-round pick. Anaheim will give up the better of the fourth-rounder previously acquired from Philadelphia and Detroit.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Jan. 8: The San Jose Sharks acquire goaltender Laurent Brossoit, defenseman Nolan Allan and a 2028 seventh-round pick from the Chicago Blackhawks for defensemen Ryan Ellis, Jake Furlong and a 2028 fourth-rounder.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Dec. 29: The Pittsburgh Penguins acquire forward Yegor Chinakhov from the Columbus Blue Jackets for forward Danton Heinen, a 2026 second-round draft pick and a 2027 third-rounder.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Dec. 12: The Minnesota Wild acquired Quinn Hughes from the Vancouver Canucks for Marco Rossi, Zeev Buium, Liam Ohgren and a 2026 first-round pick.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Dec. 12: The Edmonton Oilers acquired Tristan Jarry and Samuel Poulin from the Pittsburgh Penguins for Stuart Skinner, Brett Kulak and a 2029 second-round pick.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />

NHL trade tracker: Who changed teams in 2025-26

March 2: Oilers acquire Connor Murphy

The trade:The Edmonton Oilers acquire defenseman Connor Murphy from the Chicago Blackhawks for a 2028 second-round pick.

Analysis:The Blackhawks retain 50 percent of the $4.4 million cap hit for the pending unrestricted free agent. The Oilers have been leaking goals, and the 6-foot-4 Murphy is a solid defensive defenseman. He played on the No. 1 unit of the league's best penalty kill, led the Blackhawks in blocked shots and was third in hits.

Feb. 24: Penguins, Avalanche swap defensemen

The trade:ThePittsburgh Penguinsacquire defenseman Samuel Girard and a 2028 second-round pick from the Avalanche for defenseman Brett Kulak.

Analysis:The Avalanche pick up salary cap space and add a defenseman who has been to the Stanley Cup Final the past two seasons. The Penguins had acquired pending unrestricted free agent Kulak in the Stuart Skinner trade, Girard is also a pending UFA, and Pittsburgh gets a draft pick in the deal by flipping Kulak.

Feb. 4: Kings acquire Artemi Panarin

The trade:The Los Angeles Kings acquire forward Artemi Panarin from the New York Rangers for forward Liam Greentree and conditional third-round (2026) and fourth-round (2028) picks.

Analysis:The Kings are hurting for offense and Panarin can provide plenty. He also signed a two-year extension with an $11 million cap hit, ensuring he'll be around after Anze Kopitar retires at season's end. It didn't help the team, though, thatKevin Fiala broke his legat the Olympics before Panarin suited up. Panarin had a full no-movement clause, so the Rangers were limited in their return, but Greentree was the Kings' top prospect and the third-round pickcould become a second-rounder.

Feb. 4: Devils acquire Nick Bjugstad

The trade:TheNew Jersey Devilsacquire forward Nick Bjugstad from the St. Louis Blues for forward Thomas Bordeleau and a conditional fourth-round pick.

Analysis:This is the third time Bjugstad has been moved near the trade deadline because the 6-6 forward is a good fit in the bottom six. He has another year left on his contract.

Jan. 27: Islanders acquire Ondrej Palat

The trade:The New York Islanders acquire left wing Ondrej Palat, a 2026 third-round pick and a 2027 sixth-round pick from the New Jersey Devils for forward Maxim Tsyplakov.

Analysis:That's two trades in two days with a division rival. Palat is a two-time Stanley Cup winner (with the Lightning) and kills penalties. Tsyplakov didn't get a lot of ice time with the Islanders but has potential.

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Jan. 26: Islanders acquire Carson Soucy

The trade:The New York Islandersacquire defenseman Carson Soucyfrom the New York Rangers for a third-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft.

Analysis:Soucy was the first player moved after theRangers informed fans that the team would retool. It's a rare deal completed between the Islanders and Rangers.

Jan. 20: Sharks acquire Kiefer Sherwood

The trade:TheSan Jose Sharksacquire forward Kiefer Sherwood from the Vancouver Canucks for second-round picks in 2026 and 2027, plus defenseman Cole Clayton.

Analysis:Sherwood had been mentioned as a trade candidate since the Canucks started slowly. The pending free agent is among the leader in hits and had 17 goals at the time of the deal. The Sharks are playing better than expected and this deal shows they are trying to push for a playoff spot.

Jan. 19: Golden Knights acquire Rasmus Andersson

The trade:The Vegas Golden Knights acquire defenseman Rasmus Andersson from the Calgary Flames for defenseman Zach Whitecloud, defense prospect Abram Wiebe, a conditional first-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft and a conditional second-rounder in 2028.

Analysis:The Golden Knights had been without Alex Pietrangelo all season and Andersson gives Vegas another puck-moving defenseman. The Flames get a good return for a pending unrestricted free agent. Andersson is the second defenseman Vegas had acquired from Calgary recently after the 2024 trade for Noah Hanifin. Hanifin eventually signed an extension and the Golden Knights will seek the same from Andersson.

Dec. 29: Penguins acquire Yegor Chinakhov

The trade:The Pittsburgh Penguins acquire forward Yegor Chinakhov from theColumbus Blue Jacketsfor forward Danton Heinen, a 2026 second-round draft pick and a 2027 third-rounder.

Analysis:Chinakhov had requested a trade last season. He's a pending restricted free agent so the Penguins have control over his future. Heinen is a pending UFA.

Dec. 19: Canadiens acquire Phillip Danault

The trade:The Montreal Canadiens acquire center Phillip Danault from the Los Angeles Kings for a 2026 second-round pick.

Analysis:Danault is coming back to Montreal. He was a key shutdown player during the Canadiens' 2021 run to the Stanley Cup Final.

Dec. 19: Blue Jackets acquire Mason Marchment

The trade:The Columbus Blue Jackets acquire forward Mason Marchment from the Seattle Kraken for a 2026 fourth-round pick and a 2027 second-round pick.

Analysis:Marchment had been off to a slow start after signing a four-year deal. But he scored 22 goals in each of his last two seasons in Dallas.

Dec. 12: Wild acquire Quinn Hughes

The trade:The Minnesota Wild acquire Quinn Hughes from the Vancouver Canucks for Marco Rossi, Zeev Buium, Liam Ohgren and a 2026 first-round pick.

Analysis:This is a sign that the Wild are going for it and it gives them a dynamic former Norris Trophy winner to match Cale Makar if they face the Avalanche in the playoffs. The Wild gave up a lot - Buium was great at Denver and for the USA at the world junior championships - andHughes acknowledged that and appreciated it. That could help sway Hughes when he's eligible to sign a contract extension in July.

Dec. 12: Oilers, Penguins swap goalies

The trade:The Edmonton Oilers acquire Tristan Jarry and forward Samuel Poulin from the Pittsburgh Penguins for Stuart Skinner, defenseman Brett Kulak and a 2029 second-round pick.

Analysis:The Oilers pull the plug on Skinner, who was either spectacular or bad during back-to-back runs to the Stanley Cup Final. But they land another inconsistent goalie in Jarry, who has had injury troubles. Skinner and Kulak are pending free agents, so the Penguins could flip them at the deadline. If Skinner works out, it would allow the Penguins to continue developing goalie Sergei Murashov in the American Hockey League.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:NHL trade deadline tracker top moves, deals, team and player analysis

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March 03, 2026

NHL trade deadline tracker: Analysis on all of the big moves

TheNHLtrade deadline is at 3 p.m. ET on March 6, but teams like to get deals done early, too. Alread...

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San Francisco Giants ace Logan Webb will start WBC opener for Team USA against Brazil

PHOENIX (AP) — San Francisco Giants ace Logan Webb will start on the mound forTeam USAin its first World Baseball Classic game Friday night against Brazil, manager Mark DeRosa said Monday.

Giants Spring Baseball

DeRosa added that two-time defending AL Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal is expected to start Saturday against Britain, followed by NL Cy Young winner Paul Skenes versus Mexico on Monday.

New York Mets right-hander Nolan McLean is tentatively scheduled to start on Tuesday in the final pool-play game against Italy, even though he's dealing with an illness and wasn't with the U.S. team for Monday's practice.

"It's set up," DeRosa said. "There are obviously guardrails for the tournament to begin with, pitch-count wise, but there's also guardrails for guys having to throw on certain days to get ready for their team's opening day."

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The U.S. will play two exhibtion games in Arizona on Tuesday and Wednesday before traveling to Houston for the WBC opener against Brazil. Skenes will start Tuesday's game against the Giants. DeRosa said Matthew Boyd, Gabe Speier, David Bednar, Griffin Jax and Mason Miller will also take the mound.

Skubal is expected to make just one start for the U.S. before rejoining the Detroit Tigers for the remainder of spring training.

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

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March 03, 2026

San Francisco Giants ace Logan Webb will start WBC opener for Team USA against Brazil

PHOENIX (AP) — San Francisco Giants ace Logan Webb will start on the mound forTeam USAin its first World Baseball Classic...

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Severe Weather, Including Tornado Threat, Increases In Plains From Texas To Midwest Wednesday Into The Weekend

Severe thunderstorms, including tornadoes, are increasingly likely in parts of the Plains and Midwest starting Wednesday and could last into the weekend, if not early next week from Texas to parts of the upper Midwest.

Almost on cue as March arrived, we're setting up a rather stuck weather pattern that will bring multiple days in a row of at least some severe thunderstorms in the nation's mid-section.

(MORE:Beware Of March For Tornadoes, Especially Recently)

Severe Threat Timing

While some thunderstorms may rumble across the mid-Mississippi and Ohio Valleys during the day, the main threat for a few severe thunderstorms is Tuesday night from parts of the Texas Panhandle and northern Oklahoma into southern Kansas and Missouri. Large hail is the main concern with these nighttime storms.

Cities: Oklahoma City, Wichita

Severe thunderstorms are most possible in the afternoon and evening from parts of northern Texas into the Ozarks. Large hail, damaging thunderstorm winds and a few tornadoes are possible.

More isolated strong to severe storms are possible as far north as the mid-Mississippi and Ohio Valleys.

Cities:Dallas, Ft. Smith

Severe thunderstorms are most possible in the afternoon and evening along a feature known as adrylinein parts of western Texas into western Oklahoma and perhaps southwestern Kansas. Hail larger than golf balls, damaging thunderstorm winds and a few tornadoes are possible.

More isolated strong to severe storms are possible as far north as the Missouri Valley of Nebraska and Iowa.

Cities:Lubbock, Amarillo, Wichita Falls

Friday's severe weather threat may be more widespread, with more numeroussupercellthunderstorms capable of tornadoes, hail and destructive winds possible from parts of Texas to Oklahoma, Kansas and Missouri in the afternoon and evening.

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At least some severe thunderstorms with hail are possible as far north as southern Minnesota, southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois.

Cities:Dallas, Tulsa, Kansas City

This Weekend And Beyond

The story doesn't end, there.

We can't rule out some lingering strong to severe storms Saturday from the Ohio Valley and Appalachians to southeast Texas.

And a few isolated strong to severe storms are possible in parts of the South Sunday along and near a sagging and stalling frontal boundary.

Additional strong to severe storms are expected early next week as a strong cold front slices into the central U.S. as a strong upper-level low pressure system over northern Mexico finally gets kicked into the Plains.

Check back with us at weather.com for updates to this forecast.

(MAPS:7-Day US Forecast)

How Much Rain?

Rainfall is expected to be heavy at times with these storms, and several areas will receive multiple days of heavy rain even before the severe weather threat. The Weather Prediction Center has issued level 1 out of 4 risks for heavy rainfall for Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday across parts of the Southern Plains and the Mississippi and Ohio Valleys. Rainfall of 1-3 inches is possible with isolated higher totals where the heaviest storms train over the same locations.

Soaking A Drought

These parts of the country are very much in need of rainfall. Drought persists across much of the South, and the reason is actually fairly straightforward.

We have been under a La Niña this winter, which causes some significant impacts to our weather.

(MORE:La Niña Is Fading)

A La Niña occurs when trade winds moving from east to west across the Equator over the Pacific Ocean ramp up, pushing warm water to the Western Pacific. This forces cooler water to rise to the surface across the eastern region of the equatorial Pacific Ocean.

This simple change has a drastic impact on the weather around the world and is amplified in the winter.

In a typical La Niña winter, the jet stream is typically forced further north, leaving the South warmer and drier. That pattern sends most of the precipitation and cooler temperatures to the north.

Rob Shackelfordis a meteorologist and climate scientist at weather.com. He received his undergraduate and master's degrees from the University of Georgia studying meteorology and experimenting with alternative hurricane forecasting tools.

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March 03, 2026

Severe Weather, Including Tornado Threat, Increases In Plains From Texas To Midwest Wednesday Into The Weekend

Severe thunderstorms, including tornadoes, are increasingly likely in parts of the Plains and Midwest starting Wednesday ...

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Jalisco cartel leader 'El Mencho' buried in a golden casket in a Guadalajara cemetery

GUADALAJARA, Mexico (AP) — The leader of theJalisco New Generation Cartelwas buried Monday in a shiny golden casket with enormous flower wreaths and a large military presence in the state that gave name to one of Mexico's most powerful cartels.

Mexico Cartel Leader Death

A federal official confirmed thatNemesio Oseguera Cervantes, alias "El Mencho," was buried in a cemetery in Zapopan, a suburb of Guadalajara, Mexico's second-largest city. Dozens of people accompanied the funeral procession, many carrying black umbrellas on a sunny day and with a band playing Mexican regional music known as banda.

The official who discussed the location requested anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the case. The Attorney General's Office declined to confirm the location of El Mencho's burial for "security reasons."

There had been stepped up security since Sunday around a funeral home where large flower wreaths had been arriving without a name. Some did include the image of a rooster in flowers and Oseguera Cervantes was sometimes called the "Lord of the Roosters."

The Mexican army killed Oseguera Cervantes just over a week ago while attempting to capture him. He died from multiple bullet wounds, according to the death certificate obtained by The Associated Press.

The killing set off violence in some 20 states. The death certificate fits with a description of the operation to capture Oseguera Cervantes given by Defense Secretary Ricardo Trevilla, who had said thatthe cartel leader and two bodyguards had been badly woundedin a gunfight with soldiers outside a home in Tapalpa, Jalisco. The three died en route to a hospital.

The certificate specified that Oseguera Cervantes had bullet wounds to his chest, abdomen and legs.

His body was taken to Mexico City where an autopsy was performed and then thebody was turned over to his familyon Saturday, the Attorney General's Office said in a brief statement.

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The death certificate also notes that Oseguera Cervantes was to be buried, standard practice in cases of violent deaths to allow for additional forensic evidence to be gathered if needed in the future. The document did not say where the burial would take place.

Authorities' security concerns surrounding the burial location are well founded. Oseguera Cervantes' killing set offretaliation by the cartel in numerous states. More than 70 people died between the military operation and the violence that followed. The government has said that security operations continue against other high-ranking members of the cartel.

It customary for an air of mystery to surround the burials of drug lords in Mexico, something their supporters take advantage of to try to elevate them to legend. Within hours of El Mencho's death there were already ballads, known as narcocorridos, written about his killing.

In Culiacan, in neighboring Sinaloa state, home to a cartel of the same name, there is a cemetery known for its luxury crypts and mausoleums for one-time kingpins like Ignacio Coronel — an old associate of El Mencho — and Arturo Beltrán Leyva.

There was the drug lord who was famously killed twice, Nazario Moreno, leader of the violent and pseudo religious Knights Templar cartel who authorities said was killed in 2010 only to kill him for real in 2014.

Sometimes the bodies disappear, like in the case of Heriberto Lazcano, leader of the fearsome Zetas, whose body was stolen in 2012. Or they die under bizarre circumstances, like Amado Carrillo Fuentes, "Lord of the Skies," who died in a botched plastic surgery.

Sánchez reported from Mexico City. AP writer María Verza in Mexico City contributed to this report.

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March 03, 2026

Jalisco cartel leader 'El Mencho' buried in a golden casket in a Guadalajara cemetery

GUADALAJARA, Mexico (AP) — The leader of theJalisco New Generation Cartelwas buried Monday in a shiny golden casket with ...

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Death toll rises to 3 as officials probe whether Austin mass shooting motivated by Iran strikes

Early Sunday morning, just as bars along Austin's bustling Sixth Street were winding down for the night, a barrage of gunfire tore through the popular entertainment district in the heart of Texas' capital, leaving three people dead and more than a dozen others injured.

Ryder Harrington, 19, and Savitha Shan, 21, were killed in the shooting, Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis said at a news conference Monday. Police initially provided different ages.

A third person, 30-year-old Jorge Pederson, has also died as a result of the shooting, the police department said Monday, after authorities said one person injured was expected to be taken off life support.

While the motive for the deadly onslaught has not been confirmed, authorities are investigating whether the suspect - who was fatally shot by police - was inspired by this weekend'sUS and Israeli strikeson Iran, multiple law enforcement officials briefed on the case said.

Investigators are also digging into the man's criminal history and his mental health records, sources said.

Here's what we know:

Was Iran a factor?

The suspect, identified as 53-year-old Ndiaga Diagne, had not previously been on the radar of Austin police or the FBI, officials said Monday.

The suspect was wearing a shirt with an Iranian flag design on it underneath a hoodie printed with "Property of Allah," a law enforcement official told CNN.

Investigators are looking for connections, pouring through "thousands of hours of video" and interviewing witnesses, Alex Doran, acting special agent in charge of the FBI's San Antonio division, said at a news conference Monday.

The investigation also involves sorting through a high volume of both digital and physical evidence, so "we don't want to speculate or make any guesses at this stage of the investigation as to what that motive ultimately was," he said.

A bevy of law enforcement officers arrived Sunday at a home connected to the suspect in Pflugerville, a suburb of Austin,CNN affiliate KEYEreported. Investigators hauled boxes of items from the home and examined a car in the driveway, KEYE reported.

Authorities searching the home were likely investigating computers and phones to determine if the suspect read any propaganda or left any writings indicating what he intended to do, an official told CNN.

After the initial scene was secured, police called federal officials to "address concerns of potential terrorism," Austin's police chief said Monday. Local police will rely on their federal partners to investigate whether, for instance, his clothing helped point to a motive, Davis added.

Who is the suspect?

Diagne entered the United States on March 13, 2000, on a B‑2 tourist visa, a Department of Homeland Security official told CNN. In June 2006, he adjusted his status to lawful permanent resident based on marriage to a US citizen. He naturalized on April 5, 2013.

Diagne was originally from Senegal, a law enforcement official familiar with the investigation told CNN.

Upon arriving in the US, Diagne initially settled in New York and eventually made his way to Texas, although it's not clear when, the official said. He had multiple addresses in the Lone Star State, the official added.

In 2022, he was arrested in Texas on a charge of collision with vehicle damage, a misdemeanor offense, according to the DHS official.

Authorities are also reviewing past mental health encounters the suspect had while living in Texas, multiple law enforcement officials have said.

CNN has reached out to the Austin Police Department and the FBI's San Antonio division for more details.

How did the shooting unfold?

The violence erupted along a stretch of Sixth Street, known for its dense concentration of bars and live music venues. The vibrant corridor is a short drive from the University of Texas at Austin, which has 55,000 students.

Authorities first received a call about a man shooting from a large SUV outside Buford's Backyard Beer Garden, Davis said.

"At one point, he put his flashers on, rolled down his window, and began using a pistol, shooting out of his car windows, striking patrons of the bar that were on the patio and that were in front of the bar," Davis said.

The suspect then drove west on Sixth Street, parked his SUV and got out with a rifle, the police chief said. He then began shooting at people walking by, she said.

Authorities reached the suspect in less than a minute, Davis said.

"Our suspect was coming toward East Austin or East Sixth Street, officers were coming toward him, and at the intersection, he was shot and he was killed," Davis said.

Video from the scene shows law enforcement officers running toward the scene as people duck for cover. The deadly attack is among 56 mass shootings in the US so far this year, according to theGun Violence Archive.

Nathan Comeaux, a University of Texas senior, was celebrating two friends' 21st birthdays at Buford's when he left around 1:50 a.m. to grab some pizza from a food truck across the street, he told CNN. Shortly before 2 a.m., he heard the sound of 15 to 20 gunshots.

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"If either me or my friends had left a few minutes later, we would have been on the patio when the shooter was attacking Buford's," the 22-year-old recalled Monday.

After the initial barrage of gunfire ended, "I took out my phone to capture what was going on," Comeaux said. "I saw the suspect engage with the cops down the street from me. And then he was taken out by the police."

Who are the victims?

Harrington, the 19-year-old killed, was a former Texas Tech student, the university said in a statement toCNN affiliate KCBD.

His older brother, Reed Harrington, penned an warm tribute onFacebook, writing "I love you more than you will ever know. No matter how old you get, or how much taller than me you are, you will always be my little brother."

"Watching the man he had become, and seeing all the lives he touched, leaves me certain that this world was robbed of a great future," he said in the post, alongside photos of his brother.

Beta Theta PisaidHarrington was a member of its chapter at Texas Tech, joining the fraternity in the fall of 2024.

It described Harrington as someone who "had a rare ability to truly enjoy life to make people laugh, to make moments feel bigger, and to make ordinary days unforgettable," according to a Facebook post. "He made the world around him better simply by being in it." The fraternity held a candlelight vigil Monday night.

"We are saddened to learn of the tragic incident in Austin that resulted in the loss of life," Texas Tech said in a statement,KCBDreported. "Harrington had previously been enrolled at Texas Tech University, most recently during the Fall 2025 semester, but was not enrolled this semester. Our thoughts are with Ryder's family, friends, and all those affected by this devastating situation."

Shan, the 21-year-old killed, was a student at the University of Texas at Austin, according to her LinkedIn account.

UT Austin President Jim Davis confirmed a UT student was "among those who lost their lives," without naming Shan directly, but described her as the "child of loving parents" and "a loyal friend to many."

"It is devastating, and I know all of us are grieved by this horrible news and we will remember her," Davis wrote in a statement Monday.

A number of other UT students were hurt in the shooting, he said, and some of the injuries are "very serious."

While the shootings happened off campus, students "will see increased patrols this week across the University and in the West Campus neighborhood," Davis warned.

A community vigil will be held Tuesday evening on the UT campus, the university's Students Demand Action chapter said.

Pederson, the 30-year-old who authorities said died Monday, was described as a "beloved Minnesotan fighter" by mixed martial arts promoter Med City Fighting Championships.

"He was a fantastic fighter. One of our favorite people to interact with, throughout the years of our existence. Our condolences to all of his friends and family. It was an honor to have known him," MCFC said in aFacebookpost.

Authorities have not identified those injured and two people remain in critical condition, according to police.

Buford's Backyard Beer Garden expressed its condolences to the victims, writingon InstagramMonday: "These were young people with their whole lives ahead of them, and our thoughts and prayers are with every family impacted."

Paramedics in the area responded quickly, according to officials, as authorities praised emergency services for their quick response.

"We had more than 20 EMS resources that responded to the scene. We had all critical patients off the scene within 24 minutes, and all patients off the scene within 47 minutes," said Robert Luckritz, Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services chief.

Austin Mayor Kirk Watson offered his condolences to the victims and their families and praised first responders for their fearless, rapid response, saying "They definitely saved lives."

Gov.Greg Abbottcondemned the attack and directed the state's Department of Public Safety to increase patrols and law enforcement personnel in the Sixth Street area on weekends.

Abbott also warned the state would respond aggressively to anyone "using the current conflict in the Middle East to threaten Texans." He ordered the Texas Military Department to activate patrols to protect communities and critical infrastructure, including energy facilities and ports.

"This act of violence will not define us," he said, "nor will it shake the resolve of Texans."

This story has been updated.

CNN's Sarah Dewberry, Alisha Ebrahimji, Chris Boyette, Holmes Lybrand, John Miller and Karina Tsui contributed to this report

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