In effort to stem crime, Metro demands fare card at station exits

Syrian human rights activist Ribal al-Assad criticized Europe for lifting sanctions on Syria's new "terrorist" regime led by Ahmed al-Sharaa, warning it is no better than Bashar al-Assad. The interim government, linked to al Qaeda, has targeted minorities in revenge killings, with hundreds of civilians killed and thousands sheltering at a Russian airbase. Despite European support, al-Assad called for sanctions until a new constitution guarantees equality and rule of law. Full Article

At the Cook County Juvenile Center, family navigators Danielle Moore and Denise Gonzalez-Avila assist parents and loved ones of minors facing criminal charges by providing support and resources, drawing from their own experiences with the juvenile court system. They offer logistical help, emotional support, and guidance to families navigating court proceedings, aiming to increase family involvement in pretrial release and probation. Moore and Gonzalez-Avila work with a growing number of families facing court cases, offering...

Mercedes rookie driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli faced a setback in qualifying for the Australian Grand Prix, exiting after Q1 due to a damaged floor on his W16 Formula One car. Despite starting in P16, he remains optimistic for the race with the wet weather forecast playing in his favor. Teammate George Russell secured a P4 start, while Mercedes acknowledged the learning experience for the 18-year-old Italian driver in his debut season. Full Article

Dramatic bodycam footage captured firefighters rescuing a malnourished man held captive by his stepmother for 20 years in a burning house in Waterbury, Connecticut. The victim deliberately started the fire to gain his freedom after being locked in a small room for most of the day. His stepmother was arrested and charged with several offenses, while police described the conditions inside the house as resembling a horror movie. Full Article

House Democrats are planning a "Day of Action" across the country to oppose the GOP's Medicaid cuts, following Congress passing a spending bill to prevent a government shutdown. The Senate approved the bill with only Sen. Rand Paul dissenting, while House Democrats criticized the measure as harmful to veterans and families. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries stated that Democrats will work together with various groups to protect Americans from the impact of the bill and...

Iraq's Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani announced the death of Abdallah Maki Mosleh al-Rifai, also known as "Abu Khadija," the leader of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, killed in a joint operation by Iraqi national intelligence service and U.S.-led coalition forces. U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed the news on social media, praising the operation that terminated al-Rifai's "miserable life." The operation, conducted in Al Anbar Province, also resulted in the death of another...