American politician and historian, 50th Speaker of the U.S. House (1995–1999)
Sen. Lindsey Graham has died after a brief illness, leaving allies in Washington and Kyiv recalibrating support amid renewed sanctions talks with Russia. He had just returned from Ukraine, where he was advancing sanctions legislation and strengthening ties with Kyiv. World leaders and lawmakers are paying tribute as Republicans and Democrats weigh the political implications.
Actor Ben Jones, known for The Dukes of Hazzard as Cooter Davenport, has died at 84 in Washington, Virginia. His passing ends a career that spanned television, film and politics, including a stint in Congress. He died of a heart attack while awaiting the Braves game, his wife says.
Natalie Harp, a longtime Trump aide known as the “Human Printer,” is drawing renewed scrutiny as reports detail her proximity to the president and influence over information reaching him. The coverage centers on her letters to Trump and her visibility at events, with lawmakers weighing the implications for governance and access.
Republicans have held an unprecedented two‑day midterm convention in Dallas that has placed President Donald Trump at the centre of the party’s campaign. Trump and Vice‑President JD Vance have delivered hardline attacks on Democrats and offered a controversial $5,000 "Trump dividend" pledge if Republicans win both houses. Attendance by vulnerable GOP lawmakers has been uneven and many candidates have chosen to stay in their districts.
The Meridian initiative, led by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, has named Elon Musk, Palmer Luckey, and Newt Gingrich to co-direct a panel studying future warfare. The effort aims to identify technologies for future battlefields, with results due in 120 days, and includes the formation of an Autonomous Warfare Command.
The Pentagon has unveiled six initiatives to accelerate autonomous warfare, including a new four-star command for drones and a collaborative project with Elon Musk and Newt Gingrich. The moves aim to speed fielding of autonomous systems, bolster resilience, and rethink military basing and officer development, all while signaling a shift to a more tech-enabled force.