Afghanistan accuses Pakistan of shelling outskirts of eastern city, killing and wounding civilians

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — Afghanistan's government accused Pakistan's military of shelling the outskirts of an eastern Afghan city on Sunday, killing one person and wounding more than a dozen in the latest episode ofrenewed fightingbetween the two neighboring countries.

Afghanistan Pakistan

The fighting, which erupted in late February, has been the most severe between Afghanistan and Pakistan in decades.

Pakistan accuses Afghanistan of providing a safe haven for militants who carry out attacks inside Pakistan, especially for thePakistani Taliban. The group is separate but closely allied with the Afghan Taliban, which seized power in Afghanistan in 2021 during the chaotic withdrawal of U.S.-led troops. Kabul denies the allegation.

Afghan deputy government spokesman Hamdullah Fitrat said that "mortars and other heavy weaponry" were used Sunday afternoon to strike rural areas and civilian homes on the outskirts of the city of Asadabad in Kunar Province.

In a post on X accompanied by photos of wounded children, Fitrat said that preliminary figures indicated that one person had been killed and 16 others were wounded, mostly women and children. There was no immediate response from Pakistan to the accusations.

The fighting between Afghanistan and Pakistanhas seen repeatedcross-border clashes as well as airstrikes inside Afghanistan, including several in the Afghan capital Kabul.

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Earlier this month, Afghanistan said that a Pakistani airstrike hadhit a drug treatment hospitalin Kabul, killing more than 400 people. The U.N. humanitarian affairs office has said thetotal death tollis still under verification. Pakistan has disputed the claim and denied targeting civilians, saying that it struck an ammunition depot.

The fighting in February began when Afghanistan launched a cross-border raid into Pakistan, saying it was in retaliation for deadlyPakistani airstrikes on Afghan border areasthat it said had killed only civilians. Islamabad had said the strikes were targeting militants.

Last month, Pakistan declared that it was in"open war" with Afghanistan. The conflict has alarmed the international community, particularly as the area is one where other militant organizations, including al-Qaida andthe Islamic State group, still have a presence and have been trying to resurface.

The two sidesdeclared a temporary trucelast week before the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr, following mediation by Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Qatar. The truce expired earlier this week, andrenewed fightingerupted on Wednesday, with Afghan officials saying that at least two civilians had been killed in eastern Afghanistan.

Tension between Afghanistan and Pakistan has been high for months. The most recent fighting has upended aQatari-mediated ceasefirein October that had halted earlier clashes between the two sides that had killed dozens of civilians, security forces and militants. The two sides differ widely on the casualty figures.

Peace talks held in Istanbul in Novemberfailed to reach a long-term solution.

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March 29, 2026

Afghanistan accuses Pakistan of shelling outskirts of eastern city, killing and wounding civilians

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — Afghanistan's government accused Pakistan's military of shelling the outskirts of an ea...

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Fire danger rises in the Plains and Rockies, while the Southwest bakes

Widespread elevatedfire weatherdanger is expected to continue across parts of the Rockies and Great Plains on Sunday, as the Southwest is forecast to see another day of record-shattering March heat wave temperatures.

Wind gusts across the Plains are forecast on Sunday to reach 30 to 60 mph. Combined with very low humidity and dry fuels, conditions could be conducive for rapid wildfire growth and spread.

The National Weather Service has issued red flag fire-danger warnings for much of the Rockies.

While not currently on alert, parts of the mid-Atlantic and Northeast will also see dry and breezy conditions on Sunday, with dry fuels contributing to an increased fire threat.

Meanwhile, the Southwest will continue to bake as a record-shattering March heat wave continues on Sunday, a day after several record-high temperature marks were matched or exceeded.

Persistent heat and dangerous wildfire conditions could impact these parts of the US this weekend

At least 18 cities across California, Arizona, Colorado, Wyoming, Nevada and Utah either broke or tied daily records on Saturday, including Yuma, Ariz., which hit a new daily record of 102 degrees; Death Valley, Calif., which reached 100; Phoenix, which saw temperatures soar to 96; and Las Vegas, which hit 92.

Relief from the Southwest heat wave is expected to come later this week, but not before another day of record-breaking temperatures.

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Daily record highs are possible on Sunday and Monday in Las Vegas and Phoenix, with some daily record highs possibly being challenged in the Great Plains on Monday.

As the workweek progresses, a pattern change will bring warmer than normal temperatures and messy weather for the eastern half of the nation.

Overnight Monday and into Tuesday, a weak system is forecast to pass from the Upper Midwest through the Great Lakes, bringing showers and thunderstorms, some of which could be strong enough to produce gusty winds, isolated small hail, and spotty flooding.

By late Tuesday and into Wednesday, the system will continue to pass through the Great Lakes and eventually into the Northeast, spreading scattered showers and rain into the Northeast.

More messy weather is forecast through Wednesday and Thursday across the eastern half of the nation, mainly with scattered showers and some thunderstorms.

Heat stroke vs. heat exhaustion: Safety tips as dangerous temperatures hit the West

As April arrives on Wednesday, the weather pattern will start to change, likely bringing warmer-than-normal temperatures for the eastern half of the country. The West could also experience warmer-than-normal temperatures returning as April progresses.

What's likely to remain consistent across the West is drier-than-normal weather, adding to an ongoing drought and record-low snowpack across the West.

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March 29, 2026

Fire danger rises in the Plains and Rockies, while the Southwest bakes

Widespread elevatedfire weatherdanger is expected to continue across parts of the Rockies and Great Plains on Sunday, ...

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'No Kings' protests draw large crowds. See all the unique signs.

"No Kings" protests swept the nation on March 28, with millions of people demonstrating their objections to PresidentDonald Trumpand his administration.

Theover 3,000 protestsincluded colorful costumes, pointed chants and a myriad of signs addressing topics ranging from the Epstein files, Immigration and Customs Enforcement and calls for Trump's impeachment.

The flagship rally in Saint Paul, Minnesota, included notable names such as the state's Gov.Tim Walz, Sen. Bernie Sanders, actress Jane Fonda, Rep. Ilhan Omar, and a performance of "Streets of Minneapolis" from Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Bruce Springsteen.

The protests were the first major demonstration since the beginning of theU.S.-Israeli war on Iran.The war was not a central theme of the protests, which drew criticism fromleft-leaning commentators on social media.

Organizers state that 8 million people participated in the third iteration of the protests, though that number has yet to be independently verified.

Here are the signs from the March 28 "No Kings" rallies.

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Recap:'No Kings' protests draw massive crowds across US; some protesters detained in LA

See the signs from 'No Kings' rallies

"No Kings" protesters gathered with signs, chants and costumes on Saturday, part of the third such coordinated demonstration against President Donald Trump's actions and policies since he took office for his second term. More than 3,000 events are expected throughout the nation. See moments from the protests across the nation. See the signs protesters created.

The Roebling Suspension Bridge near Cincinnati stands tall in the background while a protester holds a sign that reads "Elvis forever Trump never," at a protest against President Trump and his administration's policies on March 28, 2026.

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Signs range from poignant to funny to critical at 'No Kings' protests

"No Kings" protesters gathered with signs, chants and costumes on Saturday, part of thethird such coordinated demonstrationagainst PresidentDonald Trump's actions and policies since he took office for his second term. More than3,000 events are expected throughout the nation. See moments from the protests across the nation. See the signs protesters created.The Roebling Suspension Bridge near Cincinnati stands tall in the background while a protester holds a sign that reads "Elvis forever Trump never," at a protest against President Trump and his administration's policies on March 28, 2026.

Red flare for Trump:'No Kings' rallies a show of political force

Signs at the protests ranged from humorous to direct. One colorful sign read "NO KINGS, YAS QUEENS!" at a demonstration in Nashville, Tennessee, while another in Reno, Nevada, said, "He's gone too far."

See a selection of them above.

Contributing: Sarah D. Wire, Jeanine Santucci, Jonathan Limehouse, Eduardo Cuevas, USA TODAY

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:'No Kings' rallies draws crowds with unique signs. See the photos.

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March 29, 2026

'No Kings' protests draw large crowds. See all the unique signs.

"No Kings" protests swept the nation on March 28, with millions of people demonstrating their objections to Pre...

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Duke G Caleb Foster expected to play vs. UConn

Duke point guard Caleb Foster is expected to play again in Sunday's Elite Eight game of the NCAA Tournament against UConn after he returned from a foot fracture on Friday.

Foster came off the bench and recorded 11 points and two assists in an 80-75 Round of 16 game against St. John's. That contest was three weeks after his foot injury that occurred in the regular-season finale against North Carolina on March 7.

Foster underwent a surgical procedure on the injury to expedite recovery.

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After missing the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament, Foster also missed the first two NCAA Tournament games of the East Regional for the No. 1-seed Blue Devils (35-2).

Foster, who started 30 of his 32 games, is averaging 8.5 points, 3.6 rebounds and 2.8 assists. He is shooting 39 of 98 (39.8%) from 3-point range.

--Field Level Media

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March 29, 2026

Duke G Caleb Foster expected to play vs. UConn

Duke point guard Caleb Foster is expected to play again in Sunday's Elite Eight game of the NCAA Tournament agains...

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Hundreds of revellers flee after fire breaks out at a dance club in Germany

BERLIN (AP) — Hundreds of partygoers had to flee a dance club in southwestern Germany when a fire broke out in the early hours of Sunday.

None of the 750 guests were injured in the incident in Kehl, a town near the French border, emergency services said.

Police said that three people were treated at the scene for shock.

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The club was identified in local media posts as the K Club Kehl, which is a popular venue for hip-hop music.

The cause of the fire is being investigated.

At least 80 personnel from the fire department, police, and emergency medical services attended the incident, German news agency dpa reported.

A fire ata nightclub in the Swissski resort of Crans-Montana on New Year's Eve, which killed dozens of people, was linked by investigators to sparklers on Champagne bottles.

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March 29, 2026

Hundreds of revellers flee after fire breaks out at a dance club in Germany

BERLIN (AP) — Hundreds of partygoers had to flee a dance club in southwestern Germany when a fire broke out in the early ...

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Soccer Fan Dies After Fall from VIP Section at Stadium Set to Host 2026 World Cup Opening Ceremony

A man fell to his death at Banorte Stadium in Mexico City on Saturday, March 28

NEED TO KNOW

• The incident took place moments before Mexico and Portugal's friendly soccer match

• Banorte Stadium is set to host the 2026 World Cup opening ceremony in June, after undergoing a $105 million renovation

A man has died at the newly renovated stadium, which is scheduled to host the 2026 World Cup opening ceremony this summer.

Moments before Mexico and Portugal's friendly match was set to begin at Mexico City's Banorte Stadium on Saturday, March 28, a man fell to his death from the VIP box, the Mexico City Prosecutor's Office (MCPO) said in astatement.

He is believed to have climbed the exterior of the venue while intoxicated as he tried to jump from the second-level box seats to the first level, before falling to the ground,Reutersreported, citing local authorities.

"According to the first reports, the events were recorded in the building's staging area, from where the person fell to the parking area, causing the loss of his life," said the MCPO in a translated statement shared onFacebook. "The CDMX Prosecutor's Office will continue investigations in a thorough manner and will keep the public informed as relevant progress is obtained."

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"From the outset, ministerial, forensic, and investigative police personnel arrived at the scene to begin the corresponding procedures," the MCPO added on its website. "The area was secured, the crime scene was documented, and evidence was collected by experts specializing in criminalistics, photography, and forensic medicine."

Video surveillance and witness testimonies are being reviewed to determine how the incident unfolded.

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"The legal autopsy protocol is underway, in order to establish with certainty the cause of death, as well as the physical condition of the person at the time of the fall," said the MCPO. "[We] will continue its investigations thoroughly and will keep the public informed as relevant progress is made…"

The deceased soccer fan has not been publicly identified at this time.

The 2026 World Cup opening ceremony is scheduled to take place at Banorte Stadium on June 11. The upcoming tournament is being hosted by three countries for the first time in the U.S., Mexico and Canada.

The Banorte Stadium, previously known as Estadio Azteca Stadium, opened in May 1966 and is the fourth-largest soccer stadium in the world, seating 87,000 people, perTNT SportsandStadium DB.

The venue has been renovated ahead of the World Cup after receiving a $105 million loan from the bank Banorte, perESPN. In June, the stadium will become the first to host three World Cup finals, after hosting the 1970, 1986 and 2026 tournaments.

PEOPLE has reached out to the MCPO for further comment.

Read the original article onPeople

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March 29, 2026

Soccer Fan Dies After Fall from VIP Section at Stadium Set to Host 2026 World Cup Opening Ceremony

A man fell to his death at Banorte Stadium in Mexico City on Saturday, March 28 NEED TO KNOW The incident took...

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UConn is facing Duke with a Final Four on the line. It’s a battle of blue-blood programs – if such a thing still exists

Back when he first came to town – back when some of his Big East peers derided his school as the Northwestern of the conference and questioned why Dave Gavitt even let them in – Jim Calhoun tried to solveUConn'sidentity crisis one misinformed person at a time.

"No, it's UConn with a U,'' he would explain, "Not Yukon with a Y. We're not in Alaska.''

It is near unfathomable to imagine such issues today. To confuse UConn with anything other than the University of Connecticut would be akin to assuming Duke was merely some nobleman in England. The Huskies have won six national championships, crafting the cow patch in Storrs into a modern-day blueblood. No school – not Duke, not North Carolina, not Kansas, not Kentucky – has hoisted as many banners in the last 30 years as UConn.

Yet the man currently in charge of the kingdom, the one who has added two championships of his own to the university coffers, is struggling with the old vocabulary in this very modern-day college athletics world.

A blue-blood, Dan Hurley argues, isn't really a thing anymore.

"You can't get by on your brand anymore,'' Hurley said. "Players dreaming of having played here one day, none of these kids care about that anymore. None of the people close to them care about it because the majority of the people that are advising kids now are agents who are looking at it from a business perspective, or families that are not sentimental about any of this.''

It is an interesting thought, particularly here at the NCAA tournament's East Regional, where the Huskiesare getting ready to face the Blue Devils with a trip to the Final Four on the line.This is not an unfamiliar tap dance. The two have used each other as steppingstones en route to building themselves into what we used to call bluebloods. Of their nine meetings, four have come in the NCAA Tournament – an Elite Eight (1990), Sweet 16 (1991), a national championship game (1999), and a national semifinal (2004).

As Duke rose under Mike Krzyzewski, the Blue Devils won the first two (with Hurley's big brother, Bobby) on their way to becoming the stick by which most other programs – including UConn – measured themselves.

But by 1999, Calhoun and grown Yukon into UConn and that year, the Huskies and Blue Devils traded the top spots in the polls for the better part of the season.

Still, old labels die hard and in the title game in St. Petersburg, Florida, Duke waltzed in as a 9.5-point favorite. It was the perfect bulletin-board fodder for Calhoun, who was still trying to elbow his way in with the big dogs.

He convinced his 1-seed Huskies that they were, in fact, underdogs so much so that when Trajon Langdon tripped trying to split two defenders to seal UConn's win, Husky guard Khalid El-Amin ran around the court screaming, 'We shocked the world!'

Hyperbole in the moment, perhaps, but a fair evaluation considering just where the program had come from.

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Since then, though, no one has seen the Huskies as world shockers. The standard in Storrs is only excellence. A slight dip in performance (not to mention an NCAA investigation) cost Kevin Ollie his job, and the mission for Hurley was hardly unclear when he took the job eight seasons ago.

UConn now is pushing for its third Final Four in four years and, were Alex Karaban to win a third title, he would be the first player since Kareem and his UCLA teammates in the 1970s to accomplish the feat.

Asked then,if his team wasn't a blue-blood what was it,Hurley talked around his answer.

"We're one of the biggest places you could play college basketball. Listen, I think all things being equal – meaning NIL is in the ballpark – players would still want to go and play in the biggest places, for the coaches that are going to help them become better players, give them the best chance to play deep into this tournament, develop their career, have an incredible experience," Hurley said

Really this isn't a semantics debate – the death of the concept of the blue-blood – as much as it is a philosophical one. Is growing greatness in today's world easier than it was for Calhoun? That's really the question. Can money, in fact, change your bloodlines? Florida went from irrelevance to national title on the jet stream of well-funded transfers.

But it is also accusing an entire generation of wanting nothing of substance. It is the old man on the front porch yelling "get off my lawn," convinced that the whippersnappers don't get it because they have it too easy. To listen to players in this NCAA tournament – to really listen to them and not hear what you think you hear – is to hear players say they want to be coached.

They want to learn. They want to get better. They want excellence. Just because they want cash doesn't negate the rest.

And a handful of programs have earned the right to say that they offer it with regularity.

"I think a blue-blood is somebody that's earned it over time,'' said Michigan State coach Tom Izzo, who just finished his 28th consecutive NCAA tournament run. "What I've always looked for is consistency. If you can be consistent not over two years, four years, but 10 years, 15 years, I think you have the right to feel like that's the difference.''

Back when he first started, Calhoun used to give his players old, faded gray T-shirts on the first day of practice. The message was hardly subtle: They'd have to earn the good stuff.

The Huskies did. And so did UConn. Whether you want to call it a blue-blood or not.

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March 29, 2026

UConn is facing Duke with a Final Four on the line. It’s a battle of blue-blood programs – if such a thing still exists

Back when he first came to town – back when some of his Big East peers derided his school as the Northwestern of the conf...

Read More