USA

The No. 1 seed USC Trojans secured their first tournament victory by defeating the No. 16 seed UNC Greensboro 71-25, advancing to the round of 32. Despite their dominant performance, star guard JuJu Watkins suffered an ankle injury during the game but reassured fans that she will be fine. Watkins played through the injury, contributing 22 points, eight rebounds, and three steals, as the Trojans aim for their third NCAA tournament championship. Full Article

A 59-year-old man was fatally stabbed inside a Hegewisch home on the Far South Side by a known offender at 4:18 p.m. The victim, whose identity has not been released, was pronounced dead at the scene. A suspect has been taken into custody, and charges are pending according to Chicago police. Full Article

Venezuela has agreed to accept repatriation flights from the United States for its deported nationals after reaching an agreement with the U.S., following a suspension of flights by President Nicolás Maduro on March 8 due to Chevron's license withdrawal. The deal aims to ensure the return of Venezuelan migrants while safeguarding their human rights, amidst concerns over deportations of alleged Tren de Aragua gang members by the Trump administration, which has increased since Trump took office. About 350 people, including some held at Guantanamo Bay, have been deported to Venezuela recently, with little evidence provided by the Trump administration to...

Acting Social Security Commissioner Leland Dudek initially threatened to shut down operations at the agency after a judge blocked Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency from accessing sensitive data. The judge ruled the DOGE team was on a "fishing expedition" for fraud, prompting Dudek to consider terminating access for all agency employees. However, after the judge clarified her ruling, Dudek walked back his threat and confirmed that SSA operations would continue as usual under the temporary restraining order. Full Article

Samantha Sheppard, a lifelong runner, overcame a Rottweiler attack and surgery to qualify for the 2025 Boston Marathon after running the 2024 Mesa Marathon. Starting her marathon journey at 17 to raise money for the Kidney Cancer Association, she has continued to run and find strength in overcoming obstacles through running. She values the lessons and perseverance running has taught her, emphasizing the importance of making the most of every moment and striving to be the best version of oneself. Full Article

President Donald Trump is attending the final rounds of the 2024-25 NCAA wrestling championships in Philadelphia, marking another stop on his tour of major sporting events during his presidency. Penn State is aiming for a fourth straight national title, leading with a 60-point margin over second-place Nebraska. Trump confirmed his attendance, joined by House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan and Sen. Dave McCormick, and this will be his second NCAA Wrestling Championships in three years, as he has also recently been seen at events such as the Daytona 500, Super Bowl, Army-Navy football game, and UFC 309. Full Article

ConsumerAffairs recently ranked Fort Wayne, Indiana and Aurora, Illinois as the third- and fourth-best cities for first-time homebuyers, respectively, considering factors like crime rates and affordability. The report used 11 metrics to determine the rankings, including median home sale price, affordability ratio, and homeownership rate for Millennials and Gen Z. Chesapeake and Virginia Beach in Virginia claimed the top spots, while Gilbert, Arizona rounded out the top five. The report also listed the five worst cities for first-time homebuyers, none of which were in the Midwest. Full Article

In March, hundreds of Palestinians displaced by Israel's offensive in northern Gaza were forced to live next to a landfill in Gaza City, facing dire conditions and the threat of disease. Families from Beit Lahia and Beit Hanoun set up tents near piles of garbage after being evacuated by the IDF, exacerbating Gaza's already strained waste management system. The UN reported in October that the war had crippled waste infrastructure, leading to unregulated dumping sites that posed serious health risks due to the accumulation of hazardous waste. Full Article

In February, the Trump administration mandated that mental health providers at Veterans Affairs facilities work full time from federal offices, disrupting services for veterans with disorders like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. The new return-to-office policy led to concerns about patient privacy violations and ethics regulations, prompting some providers to consider resigning. The changes, including layoffs of probationary employees and elimination of remote work, have caused chaos and fear among mental health workers, who warn of degraded treatment and potential mass exodus of specialists. Full Article

Gemelli Hospital medical director Dr. Sergio Alfieri announced Pope Francis is expected to be discharged on Sunday after experiencing two critical episodes but showing slow improvement with pharmacological therapy and assisted ventilation. The pope was never intubated or unconscious during his hospitalization, according to Alfieri. This is a developing story, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available. Full Article