Migrant caravan leaves southern Mexican city but many are no longer aiming for the US border

TAPACHULA, Mexico (AP) — Hundreds of migrants, most of them from Haiti, left the southern Mexican city of Tapachula on foot Tuesday seeking better living conditions elsewhere in Mexico.

Mexico Migration

Migrant caravans like the one that left Tapachula used to aim for the U.S. border. But many of the migrants leaving Tapachula on Tuesday said they had lost hope of making it to the U.S. due to the restrictions that the Trump administration has placed on asylum seekers.

Instead, the migrants said they wanted to settle down in large Mexican cities, where they may be able to find work and file asylum claims. Some of the migrants said that they had been unable to get responses for asylum claims in Tapachula, despite spending months in the small city near Mexico's border with Guatemala.

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“The United States is no longer an option for us” said Jerry Gabriel, a 29-year-old Haitian migrant. “We only want to make it to Mexico City, Monterrey, Tijuana or another place where we might be able to live.”

In March another group of several hundred migrants left from Tapachula on foot. But the caravan was dissolved after 12 days on the march, after the migrants made a deal with Mexican immigration officers.

During the administration of President Claudia Sheinbaum, who came into office in October 2024, there have been 18 migrant caravans leaving from Tapachula. None of them has made it past the southern Mexican state of Oaxaca.

Haitians account for a quarter of asylum petitions filed in Mexico. According to Mexico’s national agency for refugees, 127,000 Haitians filed asylum petitions in Mexico between 2020 and 2024.

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April 23, 2026

Migrant caravan leaves southern Mexican city but many are no longer aiming for the US border

TAPACHULA, Mexico (AP) — Hundreds of migrants, most of them from Haiti, left the southern Mexican city of Tapachula on foot Tuesday see...

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Appeals court keeps 'Alligator Alcatraz' open, rejecting need for federal environmental review

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — An immigration detention center in the Florida Everglades known as“Alligator Alcatraz”will remain open, an appeals court decided Tuesday, upholding its earlier decision to block a judge's order for the facility to wind down operations because it didn't comply with federal environmental law.

A majority on the three-judge panel from the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals said the Florida-run facility wasn't under federal control and didn't need to comply with federal law requiring an environmental impact review.

“Florida, not federal, officials constructed the facility,” a majority of the judges wrote. “They control the land and ‘entirely’ built the facility at state expense.”

At the time of U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams’ preliminary injunction, Florida had received no federal reimbursement, the appellate majority wrote. Williams concluded that a reimbursement decision already had been made.

The appeals court paused Williams' order just days after she issued it last August, pending a hearing. The hearing was held earlier this month in Miami.

Friends of the Everglades and the Center for Biological Diversity, two of theenvironmental groupsthat had brought the lawsuit, said they would continue fighting as the case returns to the district court for further litigation.

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“This fight is far from over," said Eve Samples, executive director of Friends of the Everglades. “Alligator Alcatraz was hastily erected in one of the most fragile ecosystems in the country without the most basic environmental review, at immense human and ecological cost.”

State officials openedthe Everglades detention center last summer to support President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown. Earlier this month, a lawyer for two people detained there said in court papersthat guards severely beatand pepper-sprayed detainees.

In a dissent to the appellate panel's ruling, Judge Nancy Abudu wrote that immigration is a federal responsibility, and just because Florida built an immigration detention facility, it doesn't allow the federal government to abdicate its authority.

“The facility would not, and could not, have been built and used as an immigration detention center without the federal defendants’ request,” Abudu said. “The evidence of federal control perhaps is most apparent when we acknowledge that immigration remains uniquely and exclusively within the federal government’s domain.”

Follow Mike Schneider on the social platform Bluesky:@mikeysid.bsky.social.

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April 23, 2026

Appeals court keeps 'Alligator Alcatraz' open, rejecting need for federal environmental review

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — An immigration detention center in the Florida Everglades known as“Alligator Alcatraz”will remain open, an appeals...

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Secondhand clothing shopping spikes as Americans look to spend less and save money

Americans are shopping more forsecondhand clothingas they look to spend less and save money, according to a new report.

Shoppersare not only buying from secondhand retailers more but are also spending less on each purchase.

“The number of secondhand fashion transactions per household grew nine times faster than secondhand spending in March, yet consumers across all income groups are spending less on each purchase since April 2025,” according to a Bank of America Institutereportpublished Tuesday using credit and debit card data.

The secondhand clothing industry has received a lot of buzz over the past couple of years, with videos of shoppers’ hauls from thrift stores flooding social media.

Gen Z, who the report classifies as those born after 1995, have turned their passion for sustainable fashion into aside hustle.

The generational group made up 41 percent of secondhand sellers this year, up from 37 percent in 2024, according to the report. The overall number of Bank of America customers selling secondhand clothing increased 16 percent in March from the year before.

Secondhand shopping can give some relief toAmericans struggling with the cost of living, while making them feel good about their impact on the environment.

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“As inflation persists, and retailers confront tariff costs, consumers are facing higher price tags on apparel – about five times higher than they were a century ago,” the report said. “Beyond discount apparel, secondhand fashion offers consumers an environmentally friendly and economical alternative to clothing purchases.”

Inflation soared in March, mainly because ofhigh energy pricescaused by theUS-Israeli war on Iran.

The Consumer Price Index increased 0.9 percent in March from the month before. The cost of consumer goods and services rose 3.3 percent from the previous year, according to government data. The Federal Reserve has a target annual inflation rate of 2 percent.

Nearly a quarter of all households lived paycheck to paycheck last year, according to a Bank of America Institutereportfrom November 2025.

While the number of Americans who don’t have any wiggle room in their budgets continues to rise, the pace of growth has slowed nearly three times from 2024 levels, the report said.

Americans are also less confident this yearabout having enough money to be financially secure through their retirement, according to an annualsurveyconducted by the Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI) and Greenwald Research released Tuesday.

Just 64 percent of Americans feel comfortable with their retirement funds amid higher costs and rising concern about the future of social safety nets.

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April 22, 2026

Secondhand clothing shopping spikes as Americans look to spend less and save money

Americans are shopping more forsecondhand clothingas they look to spend less and save money, according to a new report. Shoppersar...

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Ford to recall over 140,000 US vehicles over damaged wires

Ford is recalling 140,201 Ranger vehicles in ‌the U.S. as damaged ‌wires can create an electrical ​short and cause a fire in the A-pillar area, increasing the risk of ‌injury or ⁠a crash, the U.S. National Highway Traffic ⁠Safety Administration said on Wednesday.

The sun visor ​or headliner wiring ​harnesses ​may be ‌improperly positioned or have excessive tape thickness, which can result in damaged wires, the regulator said.

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Dealers will ‌inspect the wiring ​for damage and ​update ​the body control ‌module software, NHTSA ​said, adding ​that the damaged wiring harnesses will be replaced ​as ‌necessary.

(Reporting by Disha Mishra ​in Bengaluru; Editing by ​Nivedita Bhattacharjee)

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April 22, 2026

Ford to recall over 140,000 US vehicles over damaged wires

Ford is recalling 140,201 Ranger vehicles in ‌the U.S. as damaged ‌wires can create an electrical ​short and cause a fire in the A-pill...

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At least 25 dead in powerful explosion at fireworks factory in southern India

At least 25 workers, most of them women, were killed in anexplosion at a fireworks factoryin southern India’sTamil Nadu stateon Sunday, authorities said.

The blast tore through the factory near Kattanarpatti village in Virudhunagar at around 3.20pm. There were nearly 100 people on site at the Vanaja Fireworks unit when the explosion occurred. The workers were reportedly mixing chemicals, police said.

The force of the blast and the ensuing fire flattened at least four sheds, sending plumes of smoke 50ft into the air.

“The explosion was so powerful that three rooms were reduced to rubble and several adjacent structures were also damaged,” a police officer said.

District collector N O Sukhapatra said rescue crews had recovered 23 bodies from the rubble and that six injured workers were being treated at a local government hospital, four of them in critical condition.

A second explosion later in the evening, triggered as rescue workers were clearing the rubble with an earthmover, injured 17 people, including six policemen and four firemen.

Officials said the factory appeared to be operating in violation of multiple safety norms despite holding a licence.

“The factory was not supposed to function on a Sunday. We will initiate stern action after a detailed inquiry,” Mr Sukhapatra said, adding that the licence would be cancelled.

The owner, the wife of a former village council head, is reportedly absconding.

Police said they filed a complaint against the factory owner and foreman and launched a manhunt for them.

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Further violations were alleged by the Firecrackers and Matchbox Manufacturers Association district president PN Deva, who said the unit was permitted to employ only 25 workers but many more were present at the time of the blast.

He said regulations restricted chemical mixing to between 8am and 10am, yet the explosion occurred hours later, suggesting operations continued throughout the day.

Many bodies were charred beyond recognition and some remained to be unidentified.

A family member of a victim told the news agency ANI that she lost both her father and mother in the accident. “We have nothing else to do except deal with this loss,” she said.

Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin described the deaths as “tragic” and expressed “immense sorrow” in a post on X.

Prime ministerNarendra Modi, in a social media post, extended his “condolences to those who have lost their loved ones” and called it a “deeply distressing” incident.

"The loss of lives in a tragic accident at a firecracker factory in Virudhunagar district, TN, is deeply distressing. I extend my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. I wish the injured a speedy recovery,” president Droupadi Murmu said.

Tamil Nadu’s Virudhunagar–Sivakasi belt is widely regarded as India’s fireworks hub, supplying a large share of the country’s crackers and employing thousands in small, often family-run units.

The industry has long been plagued by safety concerns, with accidents occurring regularly due to lapses in handling volatile chemicals and overcrowded workplaces.

One of the deadliest incidents, the Sivakasi fireworks factory explosion in 2012, killed more than 40 people and injured dozens, highlighting persistent failures in enforcing safety regulations.

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April 22, 2026

At least 25 dead in powerful explosion at fireworks factory in southern India

At least 25 workers, most of them women, were killed in anexplosion at a fireworks factoryin southern India’sTamil Nadu stateon Sunday,...

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What to Know About Allegations of Excessive Drinking by FBI Director Kash Patel

FBI Director Kash Patelhas vehemently denied—and threatened a lawsuit over—a new reportfromThe Atlanticthis week, which alleges excessive drinking and unexplained absences during his tenure as bureau chief.

In onepost on X, Patel told the outlet and author of the report: “See you and your entire entourage of false reporting in court,” calling the piece a “legal layup.”

“Memo to the fake news - the only time I’ll ever actually be concerned about the hit piece lies you write about me will be when you stop,” Patel added in another poston XSaturday morning. “Keep talking, it means I’m doing exactly what I should be doing. And no amount of BS you write will ever deter this FBI from making America safe again and taking down the criminals you love.”

Thearticle, published Friday evening, cites more than two dozen people, including unnamed current and former FBI officials, alleging several episodes described as “freak-outs” from the 46-year-old former public defender. These allegations of erratic behavior and excessive drinking are indicative of what they describe as poor and even absent leadership of the agency, which hasabout 38,000 employees.

Several officials cited in the piece say that Patel is known for "obvious intoxication" at private clubs in Washington and in Las Vegas, forcing his staff to move early morning meetings to later in the day as he recovered. Justice Department and White House officials also described instances in which aides or security personnel had difficulty waking him. In one case, members of his security detail were unable to reach him behind locked doors, prompting a request for “breaching equipment” typically used by tactical teams. If substantiated, such conduct would violate the Department of Justice’sethics standards, which prohibit habitual intoxication.

Officials also said it had raised concerns about public safety, with some wondering how Patel would handle a domestic terrorist attack. “That’s what keeps me up at night,” one official toldThe Atlantic, adding that concerns have grown in the weeks since the United States beganmilitary operations against Iran.

The article also alleges that many staffers are just “waiting” for the notice that Patel will be fired from his position, despite President Donald Trump havingpreviously defendedthe FBI director. Officials cited in the report pointed to his unreachability and impulsivity in response to high-stakes situations.

In response to the allegations, White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt told the magazine that “crime across the country has plummeted to the lowest level in more than 100 years and many high profile criminals have been put behind bars. Director Patel remains a critical player on the Administration’s law and order team.”

The report comes weeks after Iran-linked hackers calling themselves Handala claimed to have breached Patel’s personal email andpublished photographsand documents online, according to Reuters.

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Past controversies

The report adds to the mounting questions over Patel’s leadership of the U.S.’s principal federal law enforcement agency and is the latest in a series of controversies surrounding him.

In September 2025, Pateldrew criticismamong lawmakers across the political aisle over his handling of the manhunt for right-wing commentator Charlie Kirk’s killer, especially after heprematurely announcedthat the authorities had detained a suspect.

At the time, Patel said in an interview that he had “no regrets” about the social media post, claiming that he was acting in the interest of transparency.

“Mr. Patel was so anxious to take credit for finding Mr. Kirk’s assassin that he violated one of the basics of effective law enforcement: At critical stages of investigation, shut up and let the professionals do their job,” Sen. Dick Durbin, a Democrat from Illinois,saidin an FBI oversight hearing at the time.

Read more:After Missteps, Kash Patel Faces Questions Over His Leadership of Charlie Kirk Investigation

In December last year, Democrats on the House Judiciary Committeereleased a letterdemanding answers after reports emerged that Patel used a government aircraft on a “date night” with his country singer girlfriend, to go see her perform in Pennsylvania, and for trips to places like Texas and Scotland. Patelcalledthe accusations “baseless rumors” at the time.

Then, this February, he once againcame under firefor traveling to the Milan-Cortina Olympics to watch the U.S. men’s hockey team win the gold medal. Videos shared on social media after the game showed Patel chugging a beer, wearing a gold medal, and dancing and singing with the team.

An FBI spokesperson later defended Patel in aposton X. “No, it’s not a personal trip. Director Patel is on a trip that was planned months ago.”

The White House did not immediately respond to TIME's request for comment.

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April 22, 2026

What to Know About Allegations of Excessive Drinking by FBI Director Kash Patel

FBI Director Kash Patelhas vehemently denied—and threatened a lawsuit over—a new reportfromThe Atlanticthis week, which alleges excessi...

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Trump pushes back ceasefire and launches furious tirade at accusations he is ‘sucker’ for Iran

President Donald Trump on Tuesday said the U.S. wouldextend its ceasefire with Iranthat was due to expire tomorrow, at the request of Pakistani authorities, despite havingthreatened hours earlierthat “I expect to be bombing” when asked if he'd agree to such an extension.

Writing on Truth Social, Trump said Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir had asked him to put a hold on his bombing plans while further attributing the decision to “the fact that the Government of Iran is seriously fractured.”

“We have been asked to hold our Attack on the Country of Iran until such time as their leaders and representatives can come up with a unified proposal,” Trump said.

He added that the American naval blockade on Iran’s ports would remain in place while the ceasefire continues “until such time as their proposal is submitted, and discussions are concluded, one way or the other.”

The president’s latest walk-back of his threats to resume the U.S. air campaign against Tehran comeshours after he told CNBChe was not inclined to agree to any extension of the ceasefire.

After he was asked by anchor Joe Kernen if he’d consider an extension during a telephone interview on the cable news programSquawk Box,Trump replied: “I don't want to do that. We don't have that much time.”

“I expect to be bombing because I think that's a better attitude to go in with. But we're ready to go. I mean, the military is raring to go,” he said.

Trump had also told Bloomberg News it was “highly unlikely” that he’d agree to extend the ceasefire after its Wednesday expiration without a full agreement to end the nearly two-month-old war he started on February 28.

Although negotiations between the parties had been set to commence in Islamabad, Pakistan’s capital, the U.S. team that was slated to be led by Vice President JD Vance never left the U.S., and Vance remained at the White House all day on Tuesday in what officials described as a series of policy meetings.

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For their part, Tehran’s negotiators had refused to participate in the sessions unless Trump had lifted the blockade of Iran’s ports.

In a post on X, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi called the blockade an “act of war” and therefore a violation of the ceasefire.

"Iran knows how to ‌neutralize restrictions, ‌how to defend its ⁠interests, and how to resist bullying," he said.

Tuesday’s announcement is just the most recent in a series of reversals, which critics have come to givethe derisive acronym TACO(”Trump Always Chickens Out”) that have characterized Trump’s second bite at the apple of presidential power.

The pattern was established last April after his shambolic “liberation day” tariff rollout — he makes an outrageous threat on trade or another policy matter that is likely to cause the market to tumble before he inevitably walks back on that policy, leading to a market rebound.

For example, his so-called “Liberation Day” tariffs caused the markets to hithistoric lowsbefore he ordered a 90-day pause one week later, leading torecord highs.

Traders even started using the TACO acronym to describe the rapid policy shifts, borrowing the term first coined byFinancial Timescolumnist Robert Armstronglast year.

The ceasefire extension echoes his decision to announce the ceasefire agreement on April 7, hours ahead of a self-imposed deadline before he ordered U.S. forces to bomb Iranian civilian infrastructure.

Days earlier, he’d declared the day “Power Plant Day” and “Bridge Day” for U.S. armed forces unless Iran would “Open the F***in’ Strait, you crazy b*****ds,” lest they be “living in Hell.”

He later threatened that Iran’s “entire civilization” would “die tonight, never to be brought back again,” implying that the U.S. would commit genocide against the Iranian people unless their government capitulated to his terms.

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April 22, 2026

Trump pushes back ceasefire and launches furious tirade at accusations he is ‘sucker’ for Iran

President Donald Trump on Tuesday said the U.S. wouldextend its ceasefire with Iranthat was due to expire tomorrow, at the request of P...

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