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Spring has a tendency to produce volatile weather across many parts of the world, and none more so than the southern  United States , as every year severe thunderstorms leave a trail of damage. This week is no exception, as a line of severe thunderstorms work their way across Texas, Louisiana and Oklahoma in the Central Plains to Alabama and Georgia in the southeast, producing flooding rains, damaging hail and tornadoes. Thunderstorms are most likely in the spring and summer months, generally during the afternoon and evening hours with the heating of the day, but they can occur year-round and at all hours. Worldwide, there are an estimated 16 million thunderstorms each year and at any given moment, there are roughly 2,000 thunderstorms taking place. There are about 100,000 thunderstorms each year in the US alone and about 10 percent of them reach severe levels. A thunderstorm is classified as "severe" when it contains one or more of the following: hail 25mm or grea

This Earth Day, April 22, saw a March for Science. The main event was in Washington, D.C., but more than 600 cities across the nation and around the world participated. What began as a grassroots effort ultimately drew in more than 200 professional organizations, including the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). As AAAS CEO and former congressman Rush Holt stated, the nonpartisan march was “a unique opportunity to communicate the importance, value and beauty of science.” I was one of the tens of thousands in D.C. last Saturday. I had been asked by the American Physical Society and the Optical Society of America to give a talk on Superhero Physics as part of the Teach-In events. Following my presentation, I joined the throngs on the Mall, listening to short speeches from scientists like Michael Mann, who developed the “hockey stick” graph of rising global temperatures, and Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha, who uncovered the high lead contamination in the Flint

Muhammad Ali may have entered the ring more than 60 times during his professional career, but the three-time heavyweight boxing champion’s toughest fight came outside the ropes when he refused military induction during the Vietnam War due to his religious beliefs. Stripped of his title and found guilty of draft evasion, Ali fought a four-year legal battle that culminated in the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously overturning his conviction. Fifty years after Ali refused induction, a new book examines his fight against the American government and public opinion. The eight men knew the next step they took would not only change their lives, it could possibly end them as well. “You will take one step forward as your name and service are called and such step will constitute your induction into the Armed Forces indicated,” Lieutenant Steven Dunkley instructed the draftees standing before him inside the Armed Forces Examining and Entrance Station in Houston, Texas, on April 28, 1967.

Retired Rear Admiral and former State Department spokesman John Kirby said that North Korean dictator  Kim Jong Un’s missile launch Friday  was a “middle finger” to the United States, to China, and the United Nations. He made the comments on CNN to John Berman. “Admiral,” Berman inquired, “the North Koreans has done a number of missile tests since President Trump has taken office, but again this ones comes after key meetings with China. This one comes after many official statements from the administration and the State Department. You said earlier you think you think this is Kim Jong Un giving the United States, essentially, the finger.” “I do, I believe that,” Kirby affirmed, “but it’s also Kim giving China the finger. And perhaps even the UN. I do think this was linked in time, and if early reports are accurate and this was launched from a mobile launcher, he can set those things up in relatively short order you don’t need a lot of time and prep. Thats actually one of the mos

Karl Anderson has been in WWE for a year, and in that time he and partner Luke Gallows jumped the ring barricade to beat up The Usos and then Roman Reigns in their first two weeks, came to the ring at Summer Slam in doctor’s coats after giving an opponent “ ringpostitis ,” and won the RAW tag team championships and defended them at WrestleMania. That runs the gamut from physical dominance to comedy to a mixture of both, especially if you consider their roles in WWE’s Southpaw Regional Wrestling parody. “It was a crash course in WWE,” Anderson told  For the Win  of their first year. “One week you’ll be beating people up and being physical and the next week you’ll be doing entertaining things and trying to develop a story. It’s something we always wanted to do. “We love the physical aspect and we love the entertaining aspect. A lot of the Bullet Club stuff that what we did in New Japan was based on having fun and being entertaining, but when it was time to get in the ring, we co

U.S. President Donald Trump said a "major, major conflict" with North Korea was possible over its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes, while China said the situation on the Korean peninsula could escalate or slip out of control. Trump, speaking to Reuters on Thursday, said he wanted to resolve the crisis peacefully, possibly through the use of new economic sanctions, although a military option was not off the table. "There is a chance that we could end up having a major, major conflict with North Korea," Trump said in an interview at the Oval Office. "We'd love to solve things diplomatically but it's very difficult," he said, describing North Korea as his biggest global challenge. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said there was a danger that the situation on the Korean peninsula could escalate or slip out of control, his ministry said. Wang made the comments in a meeting at the United Nations with a Russian diplomat on Thursday,

The Arbor Day Foundation officially recognizes Virginia Highlands Community College as a Tree Campus  USA . VHCC is the first community ...

President Trump’s record in his first 100 days, by any standard of presidential first terms, is one of failure. Aside from the successful nomination of the eminently qualified Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court, there are almost no accomplishments — and a fair number of mistakes. The president’s first national security adviser had to quit after a record-setting tenure of  only 24 days . The administration’s first major legislative initiative, on health care, crashed and burned in a spectacular political wreck. Foreign policy has lurched from alienating China to relying on China to help us with North Korea. A rain of cruise missiles on a Syrian air base led to a brief moment of hope for those who care about humanitarian intervention (and a moment of despair for Trump’s isolationist base); less than a month later it is all but forgotten by supporters and critics alike because no actual policy emerged from this stunning use of American force. Meanwhile, almost every day produces a c

It’s going to shower box office numbers for Baahubali 2: The Conclusion. While most trade pundits have expected the film to register recording opening everywhere upon release, it has created a box office miracle even before release in North America. According to Great India Films, the US distributor of the film, the advance ticket sales have already eclipsed the highest Indian grossing film (of any language) on opening day.

WASHINGTON — The Trump administration pitched a tax reform outline Wednesday that calls for big corporate rate cuts, a simpler tax code, and big increases in standard deductions – a pricey package that could face an uphill climb in Congress. "We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to do something really big," said Gary Cohn, director of President Trump's National Economic Council. "The president is going to seize this opportunity by leading the most significant tax reform legislation since 1986, and one of the biggest tax cuts in the American history." Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin said the goal of the plan — put together as part of the administration's legislative push ahead of Trump's 100th day in office — is "creating jobs and creating economic growth." Republicans greeted news of the tax cut plan enthusiastically, though some GOP members and Democrats worried that the plan would further increase federal debt, cutting taxes w

Panera Bread will add 10,000 jobs to its delivery service, which it plans to have at 35% to 40% of its locations by the end of 2017, the chain said Monday. The positions will be in-store and driving roles. Panera Delivery began in 2015. With the new digital and mobile ordering, customers may request food from home, work or school within a driving radius of eight minutes between 11 a.m. and 8 p.m. seven days a week, according to the company. The order minimum is $5 with a $3 delivery fee in most areas. Hungry customers also will be able to track their delivery en route; the new technology includes an estimated arrival time, photo of the driver and an alert when he or she is pulling up. “In many places across the country, all that’s available for delivery is pizza or Chinese food," said Ron Shaich, Panera founder, chairman and CEO. "We’re closing the gap in delivery alternatives and creating a way for people to have more options for real food delivered to their

USA TODAY's Susan Page asks a panel of White House veterans and presidential scholars to offer President Trump advice after his first 100 days in the White House.  USA TODAY President Trump tweeted Monday morning about why building "The Wall" along the U.S.-Mexico border was necessary. But he left his followers in suspense. "The Wall is a very important tool in stopping drugs from pouring into our country and poisoning our youth (and many others)! If," read the tweet, sent at 8:28 a.m.

LOS ANGELES — If it’s April, it’s time for the first battle of the 2017 smartphone wars. Samsung  released its latest state-of-the-art phones  to take on longtime rival Apple with two re-designed Galaxy’s.  Critically lauded  as the best models ever from Samsung, they are also the biggest phones ever from the Korean company, with 5.8 inch and 6.2 inch screens. And they pack a lot into those screens by minimizing the bezels, or frames. That's raised the stakes for  Apple , which in June will release many new software enhancements for its  iOS operating system , giving a sneak peek into what’s expected in the new iPhone. The third act is in September, with the release of the new 10th anniversary editor of the iPhone, and the all-important fourth quarter selling season. Samsung is recovering from  its debacle last year  when its well-received Note 7's batteries caused some phones to overheat and catch fire. The consumer complaints, the photos and the price tag were ugly

Scientists and their allies are expected to fill the  streets of Washington, D.C., and  cities  around the globe Saturday for  Earth Day's March for Science . In addition to fighting for opportunities for new research, many groups are working to protect existing science. President Trump, who has called global warming a hoax, signed an executive order last month aimed at rolling back Obama-era climate change and environmental policies. Though science still holds an esteemed place in America,  there is a gap between what scientists and some citizens think  on issues such as climate change, nuclear power, genetically modified foods, human evolution and childhood vaccines

SEATTLE -- A Kalitta Air Boeing 747-200 delivers a soft puff of white smoke as the jet completes its second-to-last landing ever Thursday at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. On Friday, the jet and its crew will shuttle the airplane back to Kalitta Air’s home base in Michigan, where the airplane will be retired for good by the cargo carrier. In a time when the iconic jetliner has been disappearing from fleets across the globe at an astounding rate, another 747 biting the dust may not seem particularly remarkable. Yet this particular airplane stands out among the crowd: It’s one of the last airworthy 747-200s. “I tell ya, this is a nice airplane. It’s old-school,” Capt. Scott Jaykl says during a post-landing interview aboard the aircraft. Built in 1987, Capt. Jaykl’s jet was among the last "-200" variants of the 747 to come off the assembly line. The model was then replaced by the updated 747-400 in 1989, and the -200 variant -- which debuted in 1971 -- ended

WASHINGTON — Former president Barack Obama, having made good on his promise to take his family on a long post-presidency vacation, will return to the public eye for the first time in his hometown of Chicago on Monday. The event sounds exactly like the kind of thing Obama said he would do in his life after the presidency: "President Obama and Young Leaders to Hold Conversation on Civic Engagement," reads the announcement from the office of the former president. The University of Chicago event "is part of President Obama’s post-presidency goal to encourage and support the next generation of leaders" around the country and the world, said Obama spokesman Kevin Lewis. The event is a homecoming for the president in a couple different ways: Obama first came to Chicago as a community organizer in 1985. He also taught constitutional law at the university's law school from 1992 to 2004, right up until he became a U.S. senator. The former president has taken at

Starbucks hopped on the unicorn-food theme earlier this week with its limited-edition Unicorn Frappuccino, and not everyone is happy about it. On Wednesday, a man who said he is Starbucks barista, posted a video on Twitter where he begged the masses to stop ordering the drink.   Braden Burson  said the drink, which "tastes like a Sweet Tart," is ruining the lives of Starbucks baristas everywhere. "I need to rant just a little bit," Burson said in the video before launching into a full-on tirade against the pink and blue swirled treat.

A former high school teacher wanted in connection with the  disappearance of a Tennessee teen  has been arrested in northern California and the girl he kidnapped has been found safe, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation said Thursday. The agency tweeted just before noon that Tad Cummins had been arrested and Elizabeth Thomas had been safely recovered. A 4 p.m. ET press conference is scheduled in Nashville, the bureau later tweeted. Siskiyou County Sheriff's Offices spokeswoman Kelly Giordano said earlier Thursday that Cummins' vehicle was found in their jurisdiction Wednesday night. The county is in a remote area near the Shasta-Trinity National Forest, about three hours northwest of Redding, Ca.

Venezuelan authorities suddenly seized the General Motors plant there, the company confirmed late Wednesday, in a move that broadens the international implications of the country's political and economic decomposition. The development puts an abrupt end to GM's operations in the country, which the world's third largest automaker described as an "illegal judicial seizure of its assets." It also comes as the South American nation experiences intense public protests against the government of President Nicolas Maduro.  Three people were killed late Wednesday  as tens of thousands of Venezuelans took to the streets to demand fresh presidential elections and the release of jailed opposition politicians. The country has high crime and inflation rates and there are shortages of many basic goods and services. It is oil-rich but cash-poor. Maduro has used his Socialist government's institutions to pursue political opponents. Relations with the U.S. have be

Have you ever lost your car on a parking lot? It happens. You park and go shopping. When you get back, you don't have a clue where your car is. Then you start roaming around clicking on the panic button on your car keys so the alarm goes off. It can be frustrating, especially on a hot, sunny day. No, you don't need to install an expensive GPS system to keep track of your car. That's way too expensive. You would need to pay a monthly subscription fee just to use it. Don't we have enough bills to pay already?

Major corporations and business titans fueled a record fundraising haul for President  Donald Trump 's inauguration in January, according to newly released disclosures. The president's inaugural committee raised $106.7 million, about double what was raised for President Barack Obama's 2009 inauguration, a Federal Election Commission filing shows. The biggest chunk of that haul came from casino magnate and major Republican donor Sheldon Adelson, who contributed $5 million. The inauguration festivities took place on the weekend of Jan. 20, and many top donors got access to Trump and top administration officials. The donors did not need to be disclosed until 90 days after the inauguration. Donors who gave more than $1 million, for instance, received tickets to a luncheon with Cabinet appointees and congressional leaders. Contributors who chipped in $500,000 could attend a dinner with Vice President Mike Pence and his wife, Karen. Here are other notable contributor

The rate of U.S. adults without health insurance jumped in the first quarter of 2017, as the Trump administration worked to repeal Obamacare and replace it with its own health-care reform bill. The latest  Gallup-Healthways poll  found that 11.3 percent of U.S. adults didn't have health insurance in the first quarter of the year, compared to 10.9 percent of adults uninsured in the third and fourth quarters of 2016. "The slight rise in the number of uninsured Americans in the first quarter of 2017 could, in part, be attributable to the uncertainty surrounding the long-term future of the Affordable Care Act," wrote Gallup's Zac Auter. "As such, it will be important to monitor the uninsured trends in the coming months as these events unfold. If coverage options and premiums do change, members of Congress from both parties may show a renewed urgency to address the healthcare issue." Despite the increase Gallup found in its survey, the rate of adults w

President Donald Trump sent a message to criminal illegal immigrants, Tuesday morning, particularly members of gangs like MS-13. “They are getting the hell out or they are going to prison,” Trump said in an interview with Fox and Friends. Trump praised his Department of Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly for enforcing the laws. “I will tell you we have gotten tremendous criminals out of this country,” he said, pointing to the illegal immigrants who were murdering and raping innocent people. Trump called criminal behavior from illegal immigrants a serious problem that he was working to fix. “So many towns and cities are thanking me because we have gotten rid of a burden that you would not believe,” he said. On  Twitter,  Trump specifically vowed to tackle the MS-13 gang problem. “The weak illegal immigration policies of the Obama Admin. allowed bad MS 13 gangs to form in cities across U.S,” he said. “We are  removing them fast!