Texas floods leave at least 51 dead, 27 girls missing as rescuers search devastated landscape

KERRVILLE, Texas (AP) — Devastating flash floods from a storm that pounded central Texas have killed at least 51 people. Officials say the death toll is 43 and likely to grow in the hardest-hit area of Kerr County. Authorities said at a news conference Saturday that 15 of the victims were children. Gov. Greg Abbott vowed that crews would work around the clock to rescue and recover victims. Still, authorities have not said how many people are missing beyond 27 children who were at a girls' summer camp. Abbott also issued a proclamation declaring Sunday as a day of prayer across the state in response to the flooding.

A look at some of the deadliest floods in the US in the last 25 years

Flooding has caused an average of more than 125 deaths per year in the U.S. over the past few decades, according to the National Weather Service, and flash floods are the nation’s top storm-related killer. The deadliest flood event in the past 25 years was Hurricane Katrina, which hit the Gulf Coast in 2005 and caused nearly 1,400 deaths. Most recently, flash flooding along a Texas river led to the deaths of at least 32 people and left many others missing, including girls attending a summer camp near the Guadalupe River.

Israel will send ceasefire negotiating team to Qatar a day before Trump and Netanyahu meet

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — U.S.-led ceasefire efforts in Gaza appear to be gaining momentum after nearly 21 months of war, as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office says Israel on Sunday will send a negotiating team to talks in Qatar. U.S. President Donald Trump has pushed for an agreement and will host Netanyahu at the White House on Monday to discuss a deal. Inside Gaza, hospital officials say Israeli airstrikes killed 14 Palestinians and another 10 were killed while seeking food aid. And two American aid workers with the Israel-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation were injured in an attack at a food distribution site.

Iran's supreme leader makes first public appearance since Iran-Israel war started

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has made his first public appearance since the 12-day war between Israel and Iran began, attending a mourning ceremony on the eve of Ashoura. His absence during the war suggested heavy security for the Iranian leader, who has final say on all state matters. There is no immediate report on any public statement made Saturday. State TV showed Khamenei waving and nodding to the chanting crowd. The 86-year-old spent the war in a bunker as threats to his life escalated. Iran has acknowledged the deaths of more than 900 people in the war and serious damage to nuclear facilities.

Russia launches largest missile and drone barrage on Kyiv since war in Ukraine began

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russia launched 550 drones and missiles across Ukraine overnight in the largest aerial assault since the war began. The capital Kyiv was the primary target. Authorities said one person was killed and at least 26 people, including a child, were injured. Hours after the barrage, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he had a “very important and productive” phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump. Trump told reporters it was “a very good call.” When asked about finding a way to end the fighting, Trump said: “I don’t know. I can’t tell you whether or not that’s going to happen.” The Kyiv attack came hours after Trump held a call with Russian President Vladimir Putin that the U.S. president said was disappointing.

US completes deportation of 8 men to South Sudan after weeks of legal wrangling

WASHINGTON (AP) — Eight men deported from the United States in May and held under guard for weeks at an American military base in the African nation of Djibouti while their legal challenge played out in court have now reached the Trump administration’s intended destination, war-torn South Sudan. It's a country that the State Department advises against travel to due to “crime, kidnapping, and armed conflict.” The immigrants from Cuba, Laos, Mexico, Myanmar, Vietnam and South Sudan arrived in South Sudan on Friday after a federal judge cleared the way for the Trump administration to relocate them. Their challenge had earlier gone to the Supreme Court, which permitted their removal.

Trump branded, browbeat and prevailed. But his big bill may come at a political cost

WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump has made tax cuts a central part of his political legacy. There were his first-term cuts. And now the Republican has pushed through an extension of those cuts and added new tax breaks. But the bill he signed into law Friday also comes with significant cuts to Medicaid and food assistance, contradicting promises to protect such programs. Democrats plan to make that expected fallout a campaign focus, while Republicans argue the bill will boost the economy. Historically, major legislation that's been backed mostly by just one party has rarely translated into political rewards. So the long-term effects of Trump’s tax policy are unclear.

Tropical Storm Chantal forecast to bring heavy rain to the Carolinas

MIAMI (AP) — Tropical Storm Chantal has formed off the southeastern U.S. coast. The National Hurricane Center in Miami says tropical storm warnings have been issued for portions of the Carolinas. Tropical storm conditions are expected in the affected areas later Saturday. The NHC says the storm’s center is expected to move across the coast of South Carolina late Saturday or early Sunday. Some additional strengthening is forecast before Chantal landfall. Heavy rain is predicted across portions of the coastal plain of the Carolinas through Monday. Two to 4 inches, with local amounts up to 6 inches, is expected. The rain could cause flash flooding.

In Sinaloa's capital, news of a boxing scion's arrest and allegations of cartel ties cause unease

CULIACAN, Mexico (AP) — The arrest of Julio César Chávez Jr., son of Mexican boxing legend Julio César Chávez, for overstaying his visa in the U.S. and lying on a green card application shook Sinaloa state's capital. But it was the way that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security also revealed an active Mexican warrant for his arrest and alleged ties to arms and drug trafficking and the Sinaloa Cartel that made him an uncomfortable subject. In Culiacan, Chávez’s hometown, the news has sparked quiet concern. Locals revere his father, Julio César Chávez, as a national hero but discussions about his son’s alleged cartel links remain muted.

Liverpool and Portugal players join family in mourning Diogo Jota and his brother at funeral

GONDOMAR, Portugal (AP) — Players from Liverpool and Portugal’s national team joined family and friends for the funeral of their teammate Diogo Jota and his brother. The service was held in the Portuguese town of Gondomar two days after they died in a car crash in Spain. Liverpool captain Virgil Van Dijk and several teammates attended. As did Portugal coach Roberto Martínez and Manchester City players Bernardo Silva and Rúben Dias. Jota and brother André Silva were found dead near Zamora in northwestern Spain early Thursday after the Lamborghini they were driving crashed on an isolated stretch of highway just after midnight.