A New York grand jury has reportedly started reviewing evidence in the case against Luigi Mangione, who is accused of fatally shooting UnitedHealthCare CEO Brian Thompson in Manhattan. The legal proceedings mark a significant step as prosecutors build their case against the 26-year-old suspect.

Mangione remains in Pennsylvania, where he was arrested on gun-related charges, as his lawyer, Thomas Dickey, fights his extradition to New York. Dickey has argued that he has not seen conclusive evidence linking Mangione’s firearm to the crime.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul has expressed her commitment to ensuring Mangione faces justice in New York. “That horrific attack occurred on our streets,” she stated, emphasizing the need for accountability to restore public safety.

Authorities are also focusing on Mangione’s movements after the crime. Initially, investigators believed he fled New York by bus. However, new evidence suggests he may have taken the subway to Penn Station, where he boarded a train to Pennsylvania.

Mangione is currently held under maximum security at the Huntingdon State Correctional Institution in Pennsylvania. On Thursday, he was denied bail, reinforcing the seriousness of the charges against him.

French President Emmanuel Macron has appointed François Bayrou, leader of the centrist MoDem party, as the country’s new prime minister in a decisive effort to address ongoing political instability. The announcement comes after weeks of turmoil that saw the swift ousting of Bayrou’s predecessor, Michel Barnier, who served only three months before being voted out by lawmakers.

Bayrou, 73, a longtime ally of Macron and mayor in southwestern France, met with the president for nearly two hours of tense discussions at the Élysée Palace before the final decision was reached. Known for his pragmatic centrist approach, Bayrou faces the daunting task of stabilizing a government mired in gridlock since Macron’s snap parliamentary elections last summer.

The appointment makes Bayrou Macron’s fourth prime minister this year, underscoring the challenges of navigating a deeply divided political landscape. A recent BFMTV poll revealed that 61% of French voters are concerned about the country’s volatile political climate. Critics across the spectrum have voiced discontent, with Socialist regional leader Carole Dega likening the situation to a “bad movie” and far-left leader Manuel Bompard describing it as a “pathetic spectacle.”

Bayrou’s immediate move into the prime minister’s residence at Hôtel Matignon is expected to signal a fresh start, as Macron doubles down on his commitment to govern until the end of his term in 2027. The president, cutting short a diplomatic visit to Poland to finalize the appointment, aims to strengthen his administration’s ability to address pressing national and international challenges.

As he assumes office, Bayrou must navigate delicate alliances within a fractured parliament while implementing policies to address voter concerns.

Mass rallies have erupted in Sweida, a city near Syria’s southern border with Jordan, marking the first Friday since rebel forces seized control, ending President Bashar al-Assad’s 13-year rule. Crowds of jubilant Syrians filled the streets, waving opposition flags and chanting revolutionary songs reminiscent of the 2011 protests that ignited the country’s civil war.

The atmosphere was both festive and reflective, with some participants dressed in costumes, such as one attendee in a Spongebob Squarepants outfit, standing alongside heavily armed fighters from Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). The Islamist group played a pivotal role in Assad’s downfall and maintains a visible presence at the celebrations.

Today’s rallies follow Friday prayers at the historic Umayyad Mosque, where Syria’s interim prime minister, Mohammad al-Bashir, addressed worshippers. Al-Bashir, who has been thrust into leadership amid the sweeping changes, was warmly received by the crowd as he called for unity and pledged to steer the country toward peace and reconstruction.

Sweida, a city known for its majority Druze population, has long been a hotspot for dissent against Assad’s government. Its streets now reflect a sense of renewal, with demonstrators expressing hope for a brighter future under the newly formed leadership.

The toppling of the Assad regime marks a seismic shift in Syria’s political landscape, bringing an end to years of war and oppression. However, challenges remain, as factions within the opposition must now navigate the complexities of governance and ensure stability in the war-torn nation.