High winds and sandstorms prompt Beijing to cancel hundreds of flights and close parks

BEIJING (AP) — High winds and the threat of sandstorms have prompted China's capital Beijing to cancel hundreds of flights and close public parks to avoid injuries. Elsewhere in the vast country flights and trains were also canceled. Beijing's two massive international, Beijing Capital and Daxing had canceled 693 flights by 2:00 p.m. with warnings of more violent weather on its way, especially in the country's north and along coastal areas. In Beijing, the Universal Studios theme park was closed at least through Sunday and cultural relics such as Beijing's Forbidden City, Summer Palace and Temple of Heaven had closed. Football matches and other outdoor events have also been suspended. High winds and sandstorms are generated in China's dry north.

Expect more fake eggs made of colored marshmallows or even potatoes on this year's Easter spread

MISSION, Kan. (AP) — The internet has offered up a host of alternatives as egg prices continue to be stubbornly high. Influencers are dyeing everything from marshmallows to potatoes. There has been a lot of interest from price-conscious parents as U.S. egg prices increased again last month to reach a new record high of $6.23 per dozen. Relief could be coming: There is evidence that prices are falling, and grocery stores may start offering discounts to get shoppers in the door. But even with all that, egg prices are higher than ever. That has the idea of coloring potatoes or rocks, which first made the rounds after a 2023 price spike, making a resurgence.

US Attorney Habba investigating New Jersey governor over immigration enforcement policy

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — The top federal prosecutor in New Jersey says she launched an investigation into Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy and state Attorney General Matt Platkin over the state’s directive to local law enforcement not to cooperate with federal agents conducting immigration enforcement. Alina Habba was appointed last month by President Donald Trump as the interim U.S. attorney for the state. She announced the investigation on Thursday evening on Fox News. A message seeking comment Friday was left with Murphy’s office. Platkin’s office declined to comment.

Eric Dane, star of 'Euphoria' and 'Grey's Anatomy,' reveals he has ALS

“Euphoria” and former “Grey’s Anatomy” veteran Eric Dane has announced that he has ALS but will continue working. The 52-year-old revealed his diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, in an interview with People magazine Thursday. The 52-year-old actor is married to Rebecca Gayheart and the couple share two teenage children. ALS gradually destroys the nerve cells and connections needed to walk, talk, speak and breathe. Most patients die within three to five years of a diagnosis. “Euphoria” is set to resume shooting this month. Dane’s publicist did not immediately return a message from The Associated Press.

Judge rules Menendez brothers’ bid for freedom through resentencing can continue

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Erik and Lyle Menendez will proceed with their resentencing hearings after spending 35 years behind bars for the 1989 killings of their parents, despite opposition from Los Angeles County’s district attorney. A judge ruled Friday that the court will hold a resentencing hearing for the brothers. District Attorney Nathan Hochman says the brothers haven’t admitted to lies told during the original case. Most of the brothers’ extended family have supported their release.

Australian woman unknowingly gives birth to a stranger's baby after IVF clinic error

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — A woman in Australia unknowingly gave birth to a stranger's baby after an IVF clinic mistakenly transferred the wrong embryo, the clinic said. The error was discovered in February when the clinic in the city of Brisbane found that the birth parents had one too many embryos in storage, Monash IVF said in a statement Friday. An investigation found human error led to another patient's embryo being mistakenly thawed and transferred to the birth mother. The clinic said the episode was isolated, according to its audits. The patients involved haven't been identified by the clinic for privacy reasons.

An American pastor was abducted at gunpoint in South Africa while preaching a sermon

JOHANNESBURG (AP) — South African police say a missionary was abducted by armed and masked men as he was preaching a sermon before a congregation in Eastern Cape province. They say four men broke into the Fellowship Baptist church  in Motherwell Township on Thursday evening, stole two cellphones from members of the congregation and took away the pastor in his own truck. Local media named the victim as Josh Sullivan, aged 45, from the U.S. state of Tennessee, but police would not confirm the identification. According to the church website, Sullivan, his wife and their two children arrived in South Africa in November 2018.

Cabot Creamery butter recalled over fecal bacteria contamination

A Vermont firm is recalling more than 1,700 pounds of butter because it may be contaminated with coliform, a type of bacteria found in fecal matter. Agri-Mark Inc. of Waitsfield, Vermont, recalled 189 cases of Cabot Creamery 8-ounce premium butter made with sea salt. The butter was sold in seven states. The recall was announced on March 26 and is ongoing, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. It's classified as the lowest level of recall and is not likely to cause health problems in people. Agri-Mark officials said they recovered nearly all of the product and addressed the problem.

Prada agrees to buy rival fashion house Versace in a deal valued at $1.4 billion

ROME (AP) — The Prada Group has agreed to buy rival Versace from the U.S. luxury group Capri Holdings in a deal valuing the Milan fashion house at 1.25 billion euros ($1.4 billion.) Versace, which was founded in 1978 by the late Gianni Versace, has been owned since 2018 by the Capri Holdings, which includes Michael Kors and Jimmy Choo. Capri Holdings paid $2 billion for Versace, but had been struggling in the recent era of “quiet luxury’’ to position the stalwart of Italian fashion with its sexy silhouettes and loud patterns.

Influencer Andrew Tate accused of pointing gun at woman's face ahead of London civil case

LONDON (AP) — One of four women suing influencer and self-styled misogynist Andrew Tate for sexual assault said he whipped her with a belt and once stuck a gun in her face, according to court documents that have been filed in London. The allegations were filed last year but emerged Thursday, a few days before the first hearing in the civil case next week in the High Court. Tate, 38, will not be present as he and his younger brother Tristan Tate are currently facing charges in Romania over human trafficking and forming a criminal gang to sexually exploit women. The brothers deny all the allegations made against them.