Connect with us

Published

on

A deadly tornado has reduced buildings to rubble and knocked out power as it ripped through several southern states in the US.

At least 26 people have been killed as severe storms battered Mississippi, Alabama and Texas on Friday.

Eldridge Walker, the mayor of Rolling Fork in Mississippi, has told US media his “city is gone” as people woke up to the reality they had lost their homes and businesses.

As one emergency management agency warns the number of deaths is expected to rise, we take a look at some of the most striking images from the devastation.

Initial stills of sunrise over (what is left of) Chuck's Dairy Bar & Chuck's Motel by Eleanor Deeley
Image:
The sun rises as buildings are scattered after the deadly tornado
Initial stills of sunrise over (what is left of) Chuck's Dairy Bar & Chuck's Motel by Eleanor Deeley
Image:
A car hangs off a broken building after the deadly storm
Initial stills of sunrise over (what is left of) Chuck's Dairy Bar & Chuck's Motel by Eleanor Deeley
Image:
Among many buildings, trees have also collapsed after the storm
Initial stills of sunrise over (what is left of) Chuck's Dairy Bar & Chuck's Motel by Eleanor Deeley
Image:
A car has flipped over next to a bar and motel
Initial stills of sunrise over (what is left of) Chuck's Dairy Bar & Chuck's Motel by Eleanor Deeley
Image:
Broken cars are seen among tornado debris
A mattress lays bare among broken buildings and home appliances after a deadly tornado struck
Image:
A mattress lays bare among broken buildings and home appliances after a deadly tornado struck the US
A car is seen with damages and broken glass after the storm
Image:
A car is seen with damages and broken glass after the storm
A pickup truck rests on top of a restaurant cooler at Chuck's Dairy Cafe in Rolling Fork, Miss., Saturday, March 25, 2023. .   Emergency officials in Mississippi say several people have been killed by tornadoes that tore through the state on Friday night, destroying buildings and knocking out power as severe weather produced hail the size of golf balls moved through several southern states.  (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Image:
A pick-up truck rests on top of a restaurant cooler at Chuck’s Dairy Bar in Rolling Fork. Pic AP
A resident looks through the piles of debris, insulation, and home furnishings to see if anything is salvageable at a mobile home park in Rolling Fork. Pic: AP
Image:
A resident looks through the piles of debris, insulation, and home furnishings to see if anything is salvageable at a mobile home park in Rolling Fork. Pic: AP
Tracy and Tim Hardin, owners of Chuck's Dairy Bar, survey the tornado destruction to their business in Rolling Fork. Pic: AP
Image:
Tracy and Tim Hardin, owners of Chuck’s Dairy Bar, survey the destruction to their business. Pic: AP
The damaged site of Enviva Pellets, a maker of sustainable wod pellets, in Amory, Mississippi. Pic: AP
Image:
The damaged site of Enviva Pellets, a maker of sustainable wod pellets, in Amory, Mississippi. Pic: AP
Trees lie on a house in Rolling Fork, Missippi a day after the tornado caused widespread damage in the town. Pic: AP
Image:
Trees lie on a house in Rolling Fork, Mississippi, a day after the tornado caused widespread damage in the town. Pic: AP
Wyatt Stanford, 10, of Amory, Mississippi makes his way to the next house to help remove down trees and other debris. Pic: AP
Image:
Wyatt Stanford, 10, of Amory, Mississippi makes his way to the next house to help remove trees and other debris. Pic: AP
The tornado ripped the roof off of a large building in Montebello, California. Pic: AP
Image:
The tornado ripped the roof off of a large building in Montebello, California. Pic: AP
Emergency rescuers climb through a tornado-demolished mobile home park looking for bodies that might be buried in the piles of debris in Rolling Fork. Pic: AP
Image:
Emergency rescuers climb through a tornado-demolished mobile home park looking for bodies that might be buried in the piles of debris in Rolling Fork. Pic: AP
The aftermath of the tornado in Rolling Fork. Pic: AP
Image:
The aftermath of the tornado in Rolling Fork. Pic: AP
A shipping container rests by a tornado-stripped tree in Rolling Fork. Pic; AP
Image:
A shipping container rests by a tornado-stripped tree in Rolling Fork. Pic: AP
Melanie Childs sits on a bucket and holds her two children as they view whats left of her grandfather's home in Armory. Pic: AP
Image:
Melanie Childs sits on a bucket and holds her two children as they view what’s left of her grandfather’s home in Armory. Pic: AP
A resident surveys the damage done to her car in Amory, Mississippi. Pic: AP
Image:
A resident surveys the damage done to her car in Amory, Mississippi. Pic: AP
An American flag files on the slab of what was a hardware store in Rolling Fork. Pic: AP
Image:
An American flag flies on the roof of what was a hardware store in Rolling Fork. Pic: AP
Debris is seen after the tornado struck Montebello in California. Pic; AP
Image:
Debris is seen after the tornado struck Montebello in California. Pic; AP
A sheriff's deputy gives the all-clear signal after climbing onto a piled up vehicle to search for survivors at Chuck's Dairy Bar in Rolling Fork. Pic: AP
Image:
A sheriff’s deputy gives the all-clear signal after searching for survivors. Pic: AP

Continue Reading

US

YouTuber Jake Paul beats Mike Tyson as boos heard during controversial fight

Published

on

By

YouTuber Jake Paul beats Mike Tyson as boos heard during controversial fight

YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul has defeated one of the greatest-ever fighters, former heavyweight world champion Mike Tyson, who is more than twice his age.

Paul, 27, won the bout via a unanimous points decision at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas – home of the Dallas Cowboys and the biggest NFL stadium in the US.

The fight was already controversial but then arguably failed to live up to the hype. Boos were heard from the crowd in the final two rounds, after a perceived lack of action.

Afterwards, the pair heaped praise on each other. Paul said: “This man is an icon and it’s just an honour to be able to fight him. And he’s obviously the toughest, baddest man on the planet.”

Tyson, 58, described Paul as a “good fighter” but dismissed the suggestion he was out to prove something.

“I didn’t prove nothing to anybody, only to myself,” he said.

Jake Paul lands a left to Mike Tyson during their heavyweight boxing match, Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Image:
Jake Paul defeated Mike Tyson on points. Pic: AP

Boxing careers compared

More on Jake Paul

This was not Paul’s first professional fight. The American YouTube star made his debut in 2020, and his most high-profile clash was last year against Tyson Fury’s brother Tommy Fury, which he lost by a split decision.

The so-called “Problem Child” has since defeated former UFC contender Nate Diaz, professional boxer Andre August, former Gold Gloves champion Ryan Bourland and most recently MMA fighter Mike Perry.

In contrast, “Iron Mike” Tyson was ranked among the best heavyweight boxers of all time.

During his career, he knocked out 44 opponents – retiring from professional boxing in 2005 after defeat against Kevin McBride.

He returned to the ring in 2020 for a bout against fellow boxing icon Roy Jones, which ended in an unofficial draw.

Mike Tyson, left, fights Jake Paul during their heavyweight boxing match, Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Image:
Mike Tyson struggled at times against Jake Paul, 31 years his junior. Pic: AP

‘Someone’s getting put to sleep’

Earlier this week, Paul said he believed the bout would not go the distance. “No, someone’s getting put to sleep,” he said. “It’s going to be a war, and we’re both heavy hitters. It’s not going the full 16 minutes.”

Tyson said: “I’ve been through so many ups and downs since my last fight with Kevin McBride.

“I’ve been in rehab. I’ve been in prison, been locked up. Never in a million years did I believe I’d be doing this.”

Several states would not allow the bout to go ahead, and the Texas Athletic Commission only agreed to the fight if there were changes, due to Tyson’s age.

It limited the contest to eight rounds lasting a maximum of two minutes instead of three. Both boxers were also required to wear heavier gloves, designed to lessen the force of punches.

The fight was initially scheduled for 20 July, but was postponed when Tyson suffered an ulcer flareup.

Taylor defends title

Katie Taylor, center, celebrates after defeating Amanda Serrano during their undisputed super lightweight title bout, Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Image:
Katie Taylor celebrates after defeating Amanda Serrano in Texas. Pic: AP

Meanwhile, among the undercard fights, Irish boxer Katie Taylor successfully defended her super lightweight world title against Puerto Rico’s Amanda Serrano.

But it was tight. Taylor claimed the rematch 95-94 for all three judges in an epic battle.

The bout came two and a half years after the pair fought at Madison Square Garden, which Taylor won on a split decision.

Bout suffered from buffering

Earlier in the evening thousands of Netflix users in the US reported problems with the coverage, with some posting on social media about buffering.

At one point, more than 98,000 people had reported issues according to Downdetector, which tracks outages.

Continue Reading

US

Matt Gaetz: Speaker Mike Johnson will request report into Trump’s attorney general pick is kept secret

Published

on

By

Matt Gaetz: Speaker Mike Johnson will request report into Trump's attorney general pick is kept secret

US House Speaker Mike Johnson has said he will “strongly request” a report into allegations of sex trafficking against Matt Gaetz, who is the president-elect’s choice of attorney general, should not be released.

Mr Johnson said he was against publishing the House Ethics Committee report on Mr Gaetz, 42, who if approved by the Senate will become the nation’s top prosecutor once Donald Trump is sworn in as president on 20 January.

That’s despite Mr Gaetz having previously faced a nearly three-year Justice Department investigation into sex trafficking allegations involving a 17-year-old girl. He denies the allegations and has not faced criminal charges.

Mr Gaetz has also never worked as a prosecutor and has only worked in law for a few years at a local level.

He stepped down from Congress after Mr Trump announced him as his attorney general pick.

His resignation brought the investigation by the House Ethics Committee to an end – two days before it had been expected to release its report into the trafficking claims.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Why is Matt Gaetz a controversial pick?

House Speaker Mr Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, said of the probe: “I’m going to strongly request that the Ethics Committee not issue the report, because that is not the way we do things in the House.”

Politicians of both parties on the Senate Judiciary Committee have said they want to see the report on Mr Gaetz, as part of a Senate confirmation process for cabinet nominees that would start next year with public hearings.

Democrats have described the MAGA loyalist as “a gonzo agent of chaos” and his appointment a “red alert moment for our democracy”, while some Republican senators have also raised doubts about his suitability for the role.

Read more:
Trump hands out top jobs: Who is in, who is out?
RFK Jr chosen as Donald Trump’s health secretary

Mr Johnson said he planned to urge House Ethics Committee chairman Michael Guest not to provide the report to the Senate Judiciary Committee.

“The rules of the House have always been that a former member is beyond the jurisdiction of the Ethics Committee,” said Mr Johnson, who returned on Friday morning from meeting Mr Trump at the president-elect’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida.

“I think it’s a terrible breach of protocol and tradition and the spirit of the rule,” he added. “I think that would be a terrible precedent to set.”

Follow Sky News on WhatsApp
Follow Sky News on WhatsApp

Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News

Tap here

Mr Johnson had said on Wednesday that as Speaker he could not be involved in deciding whether or not to release the report.

Continue Reading

US

Malcolm X family brings $100m lawsuit against FBI, CIA and NYPD over ‘conspiracy to assassinate’ civil rights leader

Published

on

By

Malcolm X family brings 0m lawsuit against FBI, CIA and NYPD over 'conspiracy to assassinate' civil rights leader

A $100m (£79m) lawsuit has been brought against the CIA, FBI and New York Police Department (NYPD) who are accused of being involved in the 1965 assassination of civil rights leader Malcolm X.

The case, which has been filed in a federal court in Manhattan, New York, alleges that the agencies were aware of the assassination, they were involved in the plot and failed to stop the killing.

The legal action has been brought by Malcolm X’s three daughters along with his estate.

The NYPD and CIA have not yet responded to the claims while the FBI said it was “standard practice” not to comment on litigation.

Nicholas Biase, a spokesperson for the US Department of Justice, which is also included in the lawsuit, declined to respond.

Attorney Ben Crump and legal team speak alongside daughter of the late killed civil rights leader Malcolm X, Ilyasah Shabazz, during a news conference to announce a lawsuit against government agencies and the New York City Police Department (NYPD) for the alleged assassination and concealment of evidence surrounding Malcolm X’s murder in New York City, U.S., November, 15, 2024. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton
Image:
Attorney Ben Crump with Malcolm X’s family on Friday. Pic: Reuters

Malcolm X was 39 when he was shot dead on 21 February 1965 on stage by three gunmen as he prepared to speak at the Audubon Ballroom in Manhattan.

At a news conference in New York on Friday, to announce the details of the lawsuit, attorney Benjamin Crump said: “The government fingerprints are all over the assassination of Malcolm X.

“We believe we have the evidence to prove it.”

For decades, questions have arisen over who was behind his murder.

Malcolm X rose to prominence as the national spokesman of the Nation of Islam, an African-American Muslim group which supported black separatism.

He broke away from the group in 1964 and moderated some of his earlier views on racial separation, which angered Nation of Islam members and resulted in death threats.

Three men were convicted of his murder but two of them were cleared in 2021 after investigators took a fresh look at the case. They concluded some evidence was shaky and authorities had held back some information.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Malcolm X’s family speaking in February 2023 when the plans for the lawsuit were initially announced

In the lawsuit, which began its process in 2023, it is alleged the NYPD coordinated with federal law enforcement agencies to arrest the activist’s security guards days before the assassination.

It also claims police were intentionally removed from inside the ballroom where Malcolm X was killed and that federal agencies had personnel, including undercover agents, at the site but failed to protect him.

Read more from Sky News:
Watch Israeli missile strike Beirut flats
Could Bluesky pose risk to Elon Musk’s X?

The lawsuit goes on to allege a “corrupt, unlawful, and unconstitutional” relationship between law enforcement and “ruthless killers… which was actively concealed, condoned, protected, and facilitated by government agents”.

Referring to Malcolm X’s family, the lawsuit states: “They did not know who murdered Malcolm X, why he was murdered, the level of NYPD, FBI and CIA orchestration, the identity of the governmental agents who conspired to ensure his demise, or who fraudulently covered up their role.”

Continue Reading

Trending