French Premier Barnier eyes tax hikes worth up to 18 billion euros, Parisien reports

Former transportation secretary Pete Buttigieg ruled out a run for statewide office in Michigan in 2026 but kept his options open for a potential 2028 presidential bid. Democratic governors like JB Pritzker of Illinois and Tim Walz of Minnesota are laying the groundwork for potential campaigns, while other prominent Democrats, including Kamala Harris and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, are also considering their political futures amidst the early jockeying for the 2028 presidential election. Full Article

Clemson narrowly missed out on a trip to the ACC title game after trailing Louisville at halftime, with the Tigers' locker room mysteriously locked, causing a delay and flustering the team. Despite a furious rally, Clemson fell short as Louisville held on for the win, led by Terrence Edwards and J’Vonne Hadley. The Cardinals will face Duke for the conference title after the Blue Devils defeated UNC in the semifinals. Full Article

Severe storms left about 300,000 customers without power in parts of the Midwest and the South on Saturday, with forecasters warning of intense, long-lasting storms and a high risk of tornadoes. The storms caused widespread damage in Missouri, with tornado warnings in effect in several states and power outages affecting thousands. The storms are connected to a larger system across the Central United States and are expected to continue moving quickly, potentially producing significant tornadoes...

Damien Knighton, 41, of East Boston, has been sentenced to nine to 12 years in state prison for sexually assaulting four male patients at a Massachusetts General Hospital care center through unauthorized genital and rectal exams. Judge Debra Squires-Lee described the offenses as egregious due to penetration of the victims and Knighton's abuse of his position as a medical assistant. He will also serve three years of probation and a lifetime ban from the medical...

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...