Paris’s western end of the Champs-Élysées, a monument to Napoleonic triumphs and wartime memory.
The Department of Justice has asked the Supreme Court to let construction on the president's 90,000 sq ft White House ballroom continue while courts hear challenges. A federal appeals court last week upheld an injunction requiring congressional approval for above‑ground work and stayed that order for 14 days. The administration argues the project includes vital security and military features and is roughly two‑thirds complete.
Trump’s White House modernization, including a 22,000-square-foot ballroom, faces legal scrutiny as the National Trust for Historic Preservation seeks a halt pending formal reviews. NCPC leadership shifts and ongoing construction prompt questions about approvals, timelines, and the project’s scope.
Interior Secretary Burgum has announced plans to begin construction of a Great Triumphal Arch and Military Observation Deck on Columbia Island, between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery. The project has drawn legal challenges citing lack of congressional authorization and concerns about sightlines to historic properties, while supporters argue it would add a landmark to Washington, DC.
Céline Dion has returned to full live performance with a sold‑out 26‑show residency at the Plenitude Arena outside Paris. The 58‑year‑old has opened the run with a 2‑hour, 25‑song set; she has been performing despite a 2022 diagnosis of stiff‑person syndrome and has adjusted keys and pacing to protect her voice and stamina.
The president has updated the plan for a 250-foot triumphal arch near Arlington National Cemetery to serve as a military complex, housing drones and snipers. The move is framed as national security, with critics warning it could disrupt sightlines and raise legal challenges. Courts have yet to rule, while the FAA confirms no immediate aviation danger.
Pope Leo XIV has completed the second day of a four‑day visit to France, drawing hundreds of thousands to an outdoor Mass on the Champs‑Élysées and meeting pilgrims in Lourdes. He has met President Emmanuel Macron, warned about AI and is scheduled to meet abuse survivors in Lourdes and migrants in Paris.
Arlington County has filed a lawsuit against the National Park Service, arguing the proposed 250‑foot arch near Memorial Circle will harm residents, disrupt traffic, and alter views from iconic sites. The case seeks to halt ground‑disturbing work until proper environmental reviews are completed. The government says it is following all laws.
Protests across France have expanded nationwide as thousands rally against high living costs, inequality and perceived cuts to public services. Demonstrations began in Paris suburbs and have spread to cities including Marseille, with clashes reported and arrests continuing as authorities warn of possible violence.