A defining Cold War proxy conflict (1955–1975)
The White House perimeter and visitor screening plans are advancing, with Lafayette Park fencing and an underground screening facility under review by the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts. Officials say the upgrades aim to improve safety for visitors and staff as security concerns persist following recent assassination attempts.
British national Salis Hanrahan has died in Philadelphia after a confrontation that preceded a fatal gunshot. DHS links him to the Travelling Conman Fraud Group; the suspect, George Barr, 75, is charged with murder. Hanrahan allegedly entered the US without a permit and worked as a contractor amid ongoing fraud cases tied to the group.
Vincent Pastore, famed for his role as Salvatore “Big Pussy” Bonpensiero on The Sopranos, has died at age 80. Reports say he was found at his Bronx home; his former colleagues praise his loyalty and charity. Pastore also appeared in Goodfellas, Awakenings, Law & Order, and other projects across four decades.
A gilded arch proposed for Washington, D.C., has cleared several approvals but faces a National Park Service assessment highlighting potential effects on major memorial sightlines and the unity of iconic sites. Litigation and public opposition are mounting as critics say the structure would disrupt historic relationships between the Lincoln Memorial, Arlington House and Memorial Bridge.
A new global analysis finds that ever having worked around pesticides raises the risk of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) by about 61%–71%, with herbicides driving a stronger link. The study pools data from eight past investigations and notes higher risk in men. Experts caution that causality remains unproven and exposure measurement varies.
A new public-art venue in northeast England is launching with contemporary works by Tracey Emin, Steve McQueen and Olafur Eliasson. The Light, a £17m redevelopment of the former Durham Light Infantry Museum and Art Gallery, opens to the public as part of a broader push to bring major culture to regions outside London.
The USS Abraham Lincoln has made a brief port call at Laem Chabang, Thailand, allowing about 5,000 sailors and Marines to rest after a record, months-long deployment supporting US operations against Iran. Thai authorities are managing transport, security and restrictions in Pattaya while US officials deny widespread failures in shipboard conditions.
Yayoi Kusama has died at 97, her studio has announced. The Japanese artist has become globally famous for polka dots, Infinity Nets and Infinity Mirror Rooms, and she has continued to paint into her final days. Her work has drawn huge museum audiences and influenced generations of artists across pop, minimalism and performance art.
Yayoi Kusama has died at 97 in Tokyo, with a life spanning seven decades of radical art. Born in Matsumoto in 1929, she rose from early visions to international fame, with Infinity Mirror Rooms and pumpkin motifs shaping modern sculpture and installation art.
Peter Cullen, the voice of Optimus Prime, has died at his Los Angeles home. The Canadian-American actor was 85 and is remembered for defining Optimus Prime’s leadership with his distinctive, resonant voice. His family invites the public to remember his legacy by leading with compassion and strength.
The USS Abraham Lincoln has docked in Pattaya, Thailand after a record long deployment in the Middle East. More than 5,000 U.S. service members are visiting Pattaya, drawn by potential economic benefits and heightened police presence. Officials warn about possible risks to health and exploitation, while locals anticipate a short-term economic boost.
The USS Lincoln has arrived in Thai waters after a record-breaking deployment of 286 days at sea, amid reports of crew stress and food shortages. Sailors are heading home as another port stop nears, while vendors and locals in Pattaya react to the visit.
Sen. John Fetterman has recorded a one-minute video praising Republican Sen. Dave McCormick and saying he will work with President Trump to defend Pennsylvania’s steel industry. The clip has intensified Democratic doubts about Fetterman’s party loyalty, prompted fresh talk of a possible party switch and handed Republicans a high‑profile talking point ahead of the Nov. 3 midterms.
Democratic-aligned groups have warned against President Trump’s Great Triumphal Arch at Memorial Circle, citing disruption to Arlington Cemetery and the site’s historic value. Courts are weighing challenges as Interior Secretary Burgum says ground may begin within days; critics say congressional authorization is required.
The Iran war has entered its seventh month. White House aides warn Tehran can resist pressure and sustain the conflict beyond January 2029, while President Trump argues the war could end immediately after the November midterms. Public remarks differ from private assessments, signaling a possible continuation of hostilities through the president’s term.
The twin-seat F‑4 Phantom crashed during a low-altitude display at Athens Flying Week. The crash killed two pilots; a large fire followed, prompting emergency crews and evacuations. Organisers cancelled remaining events as Greece mourns.
A tanker explosion near a traffic police station in Sanandaj, Iran, is believed to be caused by a braking fault, injuring several and prompting hospital treatment. The incident echoes a deadly 2018 crash near the same city. Iran faces a high road-accident toll annually, while regional tensions with the US have escalated.
Representative Thomas Massie has filed privileged articles of impeachment against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, forcing the House to consider the measure within two legislative days. Speaker Mike Johnson has moved to end the pre-election session early, delaying any vote past the midterms and complicating Massies parallel effort to force release of Epstein-related files.
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.
The Senate war powers debate has progressed with Republicans leaning toward endorsing a resolution to end the Iran war as fuel prices remain high and voters demand relief. Lawmakers have increasingly tied costs of living to military actions while Democrats press for accountability ahead of the midterms.
Gold Star families say they have not received timely notice or enough information about Tuesday's reception with Donald Trump and the First Lady. Survivors describe warnings ignored before the March 1 Kuwaiti Port Shuaiba attack that killed 19 U.S. troops and wounded more than 800. The White House and Pentagon have not yet released full findings, while invitations began arriving about two weeks ago.