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A series of tornadoes swept through the Midwest and Ohio River Valley late Friday, resulting in at least 27 fatalities and numerous injuries across Missouri, Kentucky, and Virginia, officials reported. Kentucky sustained the most damage, with 18 people confirmed dead and another 10 hospitalized in critical condition. The storms wreaked havoc in various communities, notably in London, Kentucky, where drone footage portrayed extensive destruction and uprooted homes. Kentucky's State Emergency Management Director, Eric Gibson, noted significant daylight damage to hundreds of homes and warned that the death toll could rise. Governor Andy Beshear stated that parts of two dozen state roads were closed and could remain inaccessible for days. Residents like Kayla Patterson recounted harrowing experiences, describing the tornado's immense power as it tore through neighborhoods. This event follows another severe weather incident in March, which claimed 24 lives in the region. Experts express concern over the potential implications of reduced staffing in National Weather Service offices following administrative cuts on timely disaster warnings.

Adriana Smith, a 30-year-old pregnant woman from Georgia, USA, has been on life support for over three months after being declared brain-dead. The family claims her continued life support is due to Georgia’s restrictive abortion laws that prevent them from ending life support despite her condition. Currently 21 weeks pregnant, Smith's situation may become one of the longest documented cases of a brain-dead woman carried in such a state. According to reports, Smith, a registered nurse, experienced severe headaches in February and was later diagnosed with blood clots in her brain, leading to her declaration of brain death. Family members, including her young son, have maintained a vigil by her side, unaware of her true condition. Georgia's "heartbeat law," enacted after the Supreme Court's 2022 ruling on abortion rights, bans abortions once cardiac activity in the fetus is detected, typically around six weeks of pregnancy. Legal exceptions for maternal health have been criticized for their narrow interpretations, complicating decisions in cases like Smith's, according to the Associated Press.

A devastating wave of severe weather, including multiple tornadoes, swept through the central United States, resulting in at least 21 fatalities and numerous injuries. The storms, which struck late Friday into Saturday, particularly devastated southeastern Kentucky, where 14 deaths were reported, according to local officials from the Laurel County Sheriff's office. In London, Kentucky, images revealed extensive destruction, with entire neighborhoods obliterated and homes reduced to debris. "You could feel the air sucking," said local resident Leslie Bott, recounting her experience during the tornado. Emergency teams are actively searching the wreckage for survivors as the National Weather Service confirmed a large tornado swept through the area shortly after midnight. More than 700,000 homes and businesses across 12 states lost power, with Kentucky and Missouri being the hardest hit. In St. Louis, seven people were confirmed dead due to a tornado-warned storm that caused significant damage to infrastructure. St. Louis Mayor Cara Spencer declared a state of emergency and enforced a curfew in affected neighborhoods. Yesterday's destruction marked one of the worst severe weather events in the region, with further storms anticipated early next week, raising concerns for additional life-threatening conditions, according to forecasters.