US diplomats and hostage envoy in Syria on first visit since Assad ouster

SummaryDeysi Vargas and her 4-year-old daughter, S.G.V., who has a life-threatening medical condition, received a one-year humanitarian parole extension allowing them to remain in the U.S. after facing deportation. Their previous status was revoked by the Department of Homeland Security, raising concerns about S.G.V.'s access to essential medical care for her short bowel syndrome, which requires specialized treatment unavailable outside the U.S. Following public advocacy and a news conference, the family's application for status is...

The "Flip the Script" program, initiated by the New York City Mayor's Office of Criminal Justice, aims to empower at-risk teens, particularly those with gun charges, through filmmaking training. Targeting individuals aged 18 to 24 from areas like Brownsville and the South Bronx, the 40-week program offers paid mentorship to help participants, such as KJ Campbell, redirect their lives and pursue careers in film. With over 60 graduates since 2021 and a vision of reducing...

SummaryProtests erupted following the arrest of 18-year-old Marcelo Gomes da Silva, a Brazilian national and Milford Public High School junior, by ICE agents while heading to volleyball practice. His arrest, deemed a collateral consequence of an operation targeting his father, sparked walkouts by students and community demonstrations demanding his release. Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey and local officials expressed outrage and called for transparency from ICE, emphasizing Gomes da Silva's good character and community involvement as...

JoEllen Zembruski-Ruple, 65, began chemotherapy for squamous cell carcinoma at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center on January 29, unaware of the risks associated with the drug capecitabine, which she was deficient in metabolizing. After experiencing severe side effects, including oral infections and gastrointestinal distress, she was admitted to hospice care and died on March 25 from the drug's toxic effects, highlighting the need for genetic testing to prevent such fatalities. Despite recent FDA warnings and...

Massive Sahara Dust Cloud Affects CaribbeanA significant cloud of Sahara Desert dust has enveloped much of the Caribbean, spanning approximately 2,000 miles from Jamaica to beyond Barbados, and is expected to reach parts of the United States later this week. The high concentration of dust has led to health warnings for individuals with respiratory issues, as local forecasters noted a .55 aerosol optical depth, the highest this year. This phenomenon, which typically occurs from April...

Washington — The U.S. Navy is contemplating renaming several ships named after civil rights leaders, including the USNS Harvey Milk, during Pride Month. Documents reveal plans for the name change to align with the Trump administration's "warrior culture" priorities, prompting criticism from figures like Nancy Pelosi, who denounced it as an erasure of historical contributions to civil rights. Other vessels under review for renaming include the USNS Thurgood Marshall and USNS Ruth Bader Ginsburg, amidst...