Trump Declares Venezuela Airspace Closed as Tensions Mount

President Donald Trump’s Truth Social post declaring Venezuela’s airspace “closed in its entirety” has escalated the standoff with Nicolás Maduro’s government, which denounced it as a “colonialist threat” to its sovereignty. The statement follows U.S. Federal Aviation Administration warnings of heightened risks from military activity and GPS interference, prompting airlines to cancel flights.

In retaliation, Venezuela revoked operating permits for six foreign carriers, accusing them of aiding U.S. “state terrorism.” This comes amid a major U.S. military buildup in the Caribbean, including the deployment of the USS Gerald R. Ford carrier strike group and additional warships, aircraft, and troops to interdict drug shipments and pressure Maduro over alleged “narco-terrorist” ties.

Officials describe an upcoming “phase” blending covert and overt actions against drug networks, while avoiding explicit regime-change rhetoric. The operations have involved lethal strikes on suspected drug vessels, with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirming three attacks in the Eastern Pacific that killed 14 people, leaving one survivor. Reports of earlier Caribbean strikes, including a second hit on survivors, have drawn human rights scrutiny and congressional probes over legality and targeting.

Maduro frames the pressure as a prelude to invasion but has signaled willingness for direct talks with Trump to de-escalate. Regional neighbors, strained by Venezuelan migration, now grapple with potential U.S.-Venezuelan conflict.

 

Dick Cheney, Architect of Post-9/11 Wars, Dies at 84

Dick Cheney, a dominant force in Republican politics and vice president under George W. Bush, died on November 3rd in Virginia at 84 from complications of pneumonia and cardiovascular disease, his family said. A former congressman from Wyoming, White House chief of staff, defense secretary and Halliburton chief executive, he helped steer the invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq and expanded the reach of the modern national security state. Supporters credited him with a hard-line approach they argued kept the US safe after the 9/11 attacks, while critics faulted him for championing intelligence practices and war policies they said led to abuses and a protracted conflict in Iraq.​

At a funeral service at Washington National Cathedral, former President Bush and Cheney’s daughter Liz were among those delivering eulogies to an audience that included Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, Mike Pence, Al Gore and Dan Quayle, senior lawmakers of both parties and several Supreme Court justices. Trump administration officials, including President Donald Trump, were largely absent following years of Cheney’s public break with his party over the January 6 attack and the 2024 election. Cheney is survived by his wife, Lynne, their daughters, Liz and Mary, and seven grandchildren.

 

James Watson, Co-Discover of the Structure of DNA, Dies at 97

James Dewey Watson, the co-discover of the structure of DNA along with British scientist Francis Crick, died Thursday at the age of 97 in East Northport, New York. Watson had recently been transferred to hospice care after an infection.

Born on April 6, 1928, in Chicago to James Watson, a businessman, and his wife Jean, he quickly demonstrated a curiosity in science, becoming enthralled with bird watching and ornithology. He entered the University of Chicago at 15, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in zoology in 1947. During his time in college, his interest in genetic research grew. He entered graduate school at Indiana University, graduating with a Ph.D. in 1950.

After completing a post-doc in Denmark at the University of Copenhagen, he relocated to the United Kingdom to work at the Cavendish Laboratory at Cambridge University, where he met Crick. In 1953, Crick and Watson proposed the double helix model of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid), informed by the pivotal X-ray diffraction images produced by Rosalind Franklin and Maurice Wilkins (the latter of whom they shared the 1962 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine “for their discoveries concerning the molecular structure of nucleic acids and its significance for information transfer in living material.”)

Watson later joined the faculty at Harvard University and became an influential voice in the genetics research world. He became the director and president of the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory in New York, which conducted groundbreaking cancer and psychiatric research during his 35-year tenure. Watson also became a noted author, writing The Double Helix on the search for the structure of DNA as well as Molecular Biology of the Gene, which became a standard textbook during this period.

Watson was also a key player in establishing the Human Genome Project, which successfully mapped out the entire human genome between 1990 and 2003, setting the stage for an explosion in human genetic research in the two decades since.

Watson’s late career was marked by controversy over his belief in the genetic influence of intelligence differences among different races. He expressed views suggesting genetic differences in cognitive abilities between racial groups, arguing that development programs in African nations needed to account for what he claimed were intelligence differences between populations. In an interview promoting his autobiography, he said, “Our social policies are based on the fact that their intelligence is the same as ours - whereas all the testing says not really.”

He also suggested that increased melanin content in skin led to higher sex drives, saying this during in a 2000 conference: “That's why you have Latin lovers. You've never heard of an English lover, only an English patient.”

Less controversially, he advocated that men should have children early to avoid an increased possibility their children suffering developmental issues. Scientific research has confirmed that older men fathering children does lead to an increase in such disorders, thought to be caused by increased genetic mutations in one's reproductive cells as a person ages.

Watson was also the first living Nobel Prize recipient to sell his prize, donating some of the proceeds to scientific research efforts. The purchaser of the prize, Russian oligarch Alisher Usmanov, later returned the prize to Watson.

Watson, was considered a living scientific legend at the time of his death and was the earliest Nobel laureate still living following the recent death of Yang Chen-Ning, the 1957 Physics prize recipient, at 103. He is survived by his wife Elizabeth and his sons Rufus and Duncan.

Caribbean Reels from Melissa as Death Toll Rises

Hurricane Melissa, the strongest storm ever recorded to strike Jamaica, ripped through the Caribbean over the past week, leaving catastrophic damage and a mounting death toll in its wake. The hurricane made landfall in Jamaica as a Category 5 with sustained winds of 185 mph, tying records for wind speed and pressure among Atlantic hurricanes since 1851. Catastrophic flooding, landslides, and widespread infrastructure collapse stranded many across island while leaving roughly hundreds of thousands of residents without electricity. At least 19 people died in Jamaica, and local officials caution that the true number may rise as search and rescue efforts continue.​

In Haiti, intense rainfall from the storm's slow passage triggered deadly river surges and landslides, with at least 30 confirmed fatalities with more missing, many from the southern town of Petit-Goave. Communities across eastern Cuba faced the hurricane as a Category 3, forcing the preemptive evacuation of over 700,000 people. Melissa's slow movement exacerbated damage, isolating villages and crippling transportation and communications.​

AccuWeather estimates economic losses in the region at up to $52 billion. As of Friday, Hurricane Melissa was rapidly weakening as it moved northeast away from Bermuda, with forecasters warning of hazardous surf and strong winds reaching the southern Avalon Peninsula of Newfoundland tonight. Recovery and aid efforts remain hampered by impassable roads and widespread power outages, and many Caribbean communities remain desperate for food, water, and medical support.

 

Gridlock Over Obamacare Subsidies Keeps Government Shutdown

Federal operations remain partially shuttered after Congress failed to reach a budget deal by Thursday night, forcing thousands of government workers into furlough and suspending non-essential services nationwide. The standoff has intensified amid President Trump’s threat to urge GOP senators to eliminate the filibuster for this bill, prompting pushback from the Senate GOP leadership, which has vowed to protect the filibuster

Senate Democrats seek renewal of enhanced Obamacare subsidies, a central sticking point in talks. Republicans criticize the cost of those subsidies, which they say benefit largely wealthier people. With both sides entrenched, critical deadlines for federal agencies and assistance programs loom for next week, though two federal judges ruled today that the USDA must use $5-6 billion in contingency funds to fund the SNAP program. The Trump administration has signaled openness to using those funds, asking for guidance from the court.

As of Friday, informal negotiations remain in progress as the Senate remains in recess until Monday.

 

Trump Administration May Be Eyeing Venezuela Military Targets

The United States is reportedly poised to launch military strikes against Venezuelan targets, aiming to pressure President Nicolas Maduro’s regime, which is accused of running a major drug cartel.

Unnamed sources told the Miami Herald that U.S. strikes could target military facilities “at any moment,” although President Trump has not publicly confirmed a final decision. The Trump administration has also conducted at least 14 operations against small vessels, claiming these actions target drug trafficking.

Tensions are escalating as U.S. forces deploy near Venezuela, and international concern is growing over potential conflict.

 

Atlantic Hurricane Season Ramps Up after Previously Quiet September

Hurricanes Gabrielle, Humberto, and Imelda have marked the peak of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season. Gabrielle moved east of Bermuda as a Category 4 hurricane, causing high swells but minor damage in the Azores before dissipating over the Iberian Peninsula.

Hurricane Humberto, a Category 4 with 140 mph winds, is centered about 300 miles southwest of Bermuda and projected to pass west of the island Tuesday night, producing dangerous surf, rip currents, and up to 2 inches of rain in Bermuda. U.S. impacts are limited to hazardous coastal conditions from Florida to the Carolinas.

Imelda, now a tropical storm but forecast to become a hurricane by Tuesday, is tracking northeast well offshore. While the Bahamas face heavy rain, the risk for direct U.S. landfall has diminished, though localized flooding and beach erosion remain threats along parts of the Atlantic coast. Emergency declarations in the Carolinas have been lifted as threats ease, though Bermuda remains in the storm’s path and is under a Hurricane Watch.

 

Actor Robert Redford Dies at 89

Robert Redford, acclaimed actor, director and founder of the Sundance Film Festival, died September 16, 2025, at his home in Sundance, Utah, at age 89. Rising to fame in "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" and "All the President’s Men," Redford won an Oscar for directing "Ordinary People."

He was also known for environmental advocacy and a champion for independent filmmaking.

 His publicist stated Redford died peacefully at home, surrounded by family. Tributes poured in from across Hollywood and beyond, reflecting on his storied career and impact on cinema and conservation.

 

Charlie Kirk’s Funeral Draws Thousands Amid Political Shockwave

Charlie Kirk, a leading voice in conservative youth politics, was remembered this week at a widely attended funeral service in Glendale, Arizona, following his assassination earlier this month. Kirk’s rise from founding Turning Point USA in 2012 to becoming a prominent figure in national debate drew tens of thousands to pay their respects at the stadium in his adopted home state.

The service, highlighted by tributes from politicians and Christian music performers, reached capacity as mourners traveled from across the country to honor his legacy. President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and a host of speakers focused on Kirk’s commitment to engaging young Americans in public life. 

The assassination rattled the American political landscape. On the night of September 10, Kirk was speaking at Utah Valley University when a rifle shot from a nearby rooftop fatally wounded him. In the chaos that followed, emergency responders rushed Kirk to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Police soon apprehended Tyler James Robinson, a 22-year-old with documented ideological motivations and evidence tying him to the shooting, such as Discord messages and text messages. The investigation remains active as Robinson begins court appearances. 

Kirk’s parents, colleagues, and friends attended the Arizona services, echoing the outpouring of grief that has swept much of the politically active youth community. Funeral organizers noted the breadth of Kirk’s impact, with lines forming early and a roster of influential speakers reflecting on his trademark energy and message. As Turning Point USA faced unprecedented uncertainty, Kirk’s widow Erika Kirk was unanimously elected to succeed him as CEO and Chair by the organization’s board.

WWII Eight Decades After Its End

 On September 2, 1945, the world witnessed a formal conclusion to the most destructive conflict in human history: World War II. Eighty years later, the anniversary is marked by remembrance ceremonies from Tokyo Bay to Washington, D.C., as historians and survivors recall that pivotal day when Japanese officials signed the surrender documents aboard the USS Missouri, ending fighting that spanned continents and cost tens of millions of lives. While spontaneous celebrations had swept the Allied nations in mid-August following the surrender of Japan, it was September 2nd that entered the record books as the official end to the deadliest conflict in world history. 

Eight decades later, the legacy of World War II remains tangible. The war’s footprint can be found in the alliances and institutions that still shape diplomacy and security policy, such as the United Nations, whose five permanent security council members make up the victors of the conflict. Survivors and their descendants grapple with memories and generational trauma, while communities in the Pacific and Eastern Europe continue to confront environmental and health hazards left by battles, such as unexploded ordnance. Nations today are challenged not only to honor those who served, but to address lingering consequences, from toxic remnants to ongoing debates over war memory and its role in national identity.

Abbott Signs Trump-Backed Redistricting Map

Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed a new congressional redistricting map into law, pushed by Donald Trump and designed to flip up to five U.S. House seats from Democrats to Republicans ahead of the 2026 midterms. The move came after a charged legislative session, including a two-week walkout by over 50 Texas House Democrats, who allege the map illegally weakens Black and Hispanic voting power and have vowed legal challenges.

In response, California’s Democratic-led legislature passed a map aiming for five new Democrat-leaning districts, explicitly calculated to offset Texas’s gains. This map is set for a voter referendum in November. Missouri’s GOP governor Mike Kehoe announced a special session to redraw maps with the aim of targeting Democrat Emanuel Cleaver’s Kansas City seat and potentially shifting the delegation to 7-1 Republican. These rapid escalations, spurred by Trump’s call for mid-decade redistricting, highlight a broad partisan arms race over control of the House as both parties seek every advantage before the 2026 elections.

 

Two Decades After Katrina: New Orleans Remembers, Rebuilds, and Reflects

Twenty years after Hurricane Katrina tore through the Gulf Coast, New Orleans still commemorates the destruction, survival, and resolve that defined one of America’s greatest urban disasters. On the morning of August 29, 2005, Katrina unleashed winds and water that shattered communities and reshaped American disaster response. Levee failures left about eighty percent of New Orleans underwater, turning neighborhoods into lakes and streets into rivers. The images from those early days - families clinging to roofs, desperate calls for help, the overwhelmed Superdome and Convention Center - are now woven into the city’s collective memory.

By NASA - https://worldview.earthdata.nasa.gov/
Public Domain
https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=87752355

For those caught in the storm, survival was a matter of ingenuity and grit. Some broke out of attics as waters rose, others commandeered boats to ferry strangers to dry land, and many endured days in overcrowded shelters, waiting for help that came too slowly. Amid tragedy, stories emerged of neighbors sharing food through broken windows, of doctors and nurses working with dwindling supplies in makeshift hospital wards, and of families separated by chaos, reunited months later across the country.
The recovery effort that followed Katrina’s devastation tested the resources, compassion, and patience of the nation. Volunteers from church groups and aid organizations arrived by the thousands, mucking out flooded homes and distributing meals. FEMA scrambled to meet demand, providing millions of meals and bottles of water as evacuees filled cities from Houston to Atlanta. International support landed on U.S. soil in the form of humanitarian teams from Canada and Mexico, underscoring the scale of the crisis and the global willingness to help.
Two decades later, Katrina’s legacy has lost none of its power. While New Orleans has seen vibrant reconstruction, scars remain. Entire blocks were rebuilt, but some neighborhoods never fully recovered, their populations diminished and green spaces overtaking vacant lots. The city’s cultural pulse endures in music and food, but the trauma left lasting wounds: Rates of PTSD among survivors remain high, and many still grapple with loss and displacement.
The storm galvanized overdue reforms: renewed investment in levees, improved disaster planning, and tough questions about government accountability. Katrina’s aftermath revealed stark racial and economic divides, reigniting civic debate over equality, justice, and resilience. For many survivors, the storm became a life-defining line. 
As New Orleans and the rest of the impacted areas mark this milestone, memories are both painful and instructive; the city moves forward with a sense of conviction born from disaster. Twenty years on, Katrina’s lessons inform every hurricane drill, every rebuilt home, and every call to action against weather risks. The anniversary is not only a time to remember the lives lost and chaos endured, but also to honor the resilience cinq unity that ultimately defined the survivors and the city itself.

Jim Lovell, Astronaut Whose Steely Command Saved Apollo 13, Dies at 97

Jim Lovell (1928-2025)

James Arthur "Jim" Lovell Jr., the NASA astronaut who guided the imperiled Apollo 13 mission to safety and became one of the first people to orbit the Moon, died Thursday at his home in Lake Forest, Illinois. He was 97.

A decorated naval aviator, test pilot, and mechanical engineer, Lovell was among the most flown astronauts of NASA’s pioneering years, going into space four times - Gemini 7, Gemini 12, Apollo 8 and Apollo 13 - more than any astronaut of his generation. Calm under pressure and quietly authoritative, Lovell became a symbol of American ingenuity and perseverance after transforming a life-threatening disaster into one of spaceflight’s most remarkable tales of survival.
Born in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1928, Lovell graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1952 and flew jets off aircraft carriers in the Pacific before joining NASA in 1962. Though initially passed over for the Mercury Seven due to a medical issue, he was chosen for NASA’s second astronaut group and soon entered the ranks of America’s space pioneers.
Lovell’s first taste of orbit came aboard Gemini 7 in December 1965, alongside his future Apollo 8 crewmate Frank Borman. The 14-day endurance mission set records for both human stamina and engineering prowess, with Lovell and Borman spending two weeks in the cramped capsule, evaluating the effects of long-duration flight and paving the way for lunar exploration. Mid-mission, Gemini 6 performed the world’s first orbital rendezvous, demonstrating the critical techniques that would later be essential for Apollo’s lunar landings.
He returned to space less than a year later as commander of Gemini 12, joined by Edwin (better known as Buzz) Aldrin. This 59-orbit, four-day flight in November 1966 was the program’s final mission and proved astronauts could perform complex tasks outside their spacecraft, including Aldrin’s pioneering spacewalks. Using a malfunctioning radar and a handheld sextant, Lovell showcased his navigational skills, docked with an Agena target vehicle, and demonstrated that teamwork and quick thinking could overcome adversity in orbit.
But it was Apollo 8 in December 1968 that would bring Lovell global recognition. With Borman and William Anders, he became one of the first three humans to leave Earth’s gravitational embrace and travel to the Moon. They orbited ten times, witnessing firsthand the “Earthrise” over the lunar horizon, a sight of fragile beauty that left a lasting impression on humanity. Their Christmas Eve broadcast, reading from Genesis to a troubled world, offered hope during a tumultuous year and stands among the most poignant moments in the history of spaceflight.
Lovell’s final, and most perilous, mission came as commander of Apollo 13 in April 1970. Intended as NASA’s third lunar landing, Apollo 13 became a drama of survival when an oxygen tank exploded en route to the Moon, crippling the spacecraft. As millions watched and prayed, Lovell led his crew, Fred Haise and Jack Swigert, in a desperate race against time, improvising repairs, rationing supplies, and using the lunar lander as a lifeboat. His understated radio transmission, “Houston, we’ve had a problem” (often misquoted as "Houston, we have a problem") belied the gravity of the situation. The crew’s safe return after four icy days remains one of engineering’s greatest triumphs, with Lovell’s steady leadership earning universal admiration.
Lovell retired from NASA and the Navy after Apollo 13, going on to a successful career in business and co-authoring the memoir Lost Moon: The Perilous Voyage of Apollo 13, the basis of the acclaimed 1995 film Apollo 13 starring Tom Hanks as Lovell. He received the Congressional Space Medal of Honor and the Presidential Medal of Freedom, among many other honors.
He wife of 71 years, Marilyn Lovell, died in 2023 at the age of 93. She herself was portrayed in the movie Apollo 13 and the 2015 television series The Astronaut Wives Club. 
Jim Lovell and his Apollo 13 crewmates flew higher than nearly any human before him, and, when disaster struck, guided his ship and his crew home. In doing so, he became a paragon of courage and resourcefulness, forever linked to the spirit of exploration and the enduring hope that even in darkness, calm resolve and teamwork can bring humanity safely home.

Trump Revives Obama Russiagate Accusations Following Gabbard Claims

Former President Donald Trump has renewed allegations against Barack Obama following claims by Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard that the Obama administration politicized intelligence regarding Russian interference in the 2016 election.

Gabbard presented declassified documents she says prove Obama’s team fabricated intelligence to undermine Trump’s victory. She called it a deliberate effort to “usurp the will of the American people.” Trump echoed her accusations, labeling the actions “treason” and calling for accountability.

Obama’s office dismissed the claims as “outrageous” and insisted the evidence does not contradict long-standing findings by bipartisan Senate committees and the intelligence community that Russia sought to influence, but did not alter, the 2016 election.

Gabbard has referred her findings to the Justice Department, whose investigators have yet to corroborate her allegations against Obama.

 

Texas GOP Unveils Map to Flip Seats, Faces Dem Opposition

Texas Republicans unveiled a proposed congressional redistricting map Wednesday, aiming to flip five Democratic-held seats and solidify GOP control after explicit urging from President Donald Trump. The draft, released during a special legislative session called by Governor Greg Abbott, would increase Republican-held House seats from 25 to potentially 30, drawing new boundaries primarily in the Houston, Dallas, Austin, and South Texas regions.

Notably, Houston's 9th District, currently majority-minority and represented by Al Green (D), would be redrawn into a seat won by Trump by 15 points in 2024. The plan also forces Democratic members in Austin and Dallas, including Reps. Greg Casar, Lloyd Doggett, Julie Johnson, and Marc Veasey, into more competitive or even primary battles. In South Texas, current Democratic districts would be tilted toward Republicans by adding more GOP voter pockets while shifting Democratic areas to current more Republican-leaning districts.

Democrats have denounced the mid-cycle redistricting as an overtly partisan attempt to capture seats and to circumvent ongoing legal challenges to the state’s 2021 map. State Rep. Gene Wu (D) called the proposal a “corrupt, racially-motivated gerrymander,” and Democrats are contemplating a quorum break, potentially fleeing the state to stall the vote, despite updated House rules allowing $500-per-day fines for absences. National Democratic groups are mobilizing resources and volunteers to fight the changes and prepare for legal battles, and Democratic-controlled state legislatures may take up their mid-cycle redistricting in hopes of capturing GOP-held seats in their states.

 

Ceasefire in Effect in Southeast Asia Border Clash

Armed clashes broke out along the Thailand-Cambodia border last week, leaving at least 12 Thais dead and dozens wounded, according to Thai officials. Fighting centered on the disputed Prasat Ta Muen Thom temple, with both sides exchanging artillery and rocket fire. Each government accused the other of triggering the violence, which forced tens of thousands to flee. Cambodian authorities have acknowledged casualties but have not disclosed full figures.

On Saturday, officials from both countries announced a ceasefire agreement aimed at ending the hostilities. Negotiations are ongoing as border residents begin to return to their homes.

 

Heavy Metal Legend Ozzy Osbourne Dies at 76

Ozzy Osbourne, one of heavy metal’s foundational figures and legendary vocalist for Black Sabbath, died at 76 after a long period of declining health. Born John Osbourne in Birmingham, England, in 1948, he helped form Black Sabbath in 1968. Their pioneering sound on albums like “Black Sabbath,” “Paranoid,” and “Master of Reality” laid the groundwork for heavy metal, with Osbourne’s distinct, haunting vocals and theatrical performances defining the genre’s style and attitude.

Osbourne’s career was marked by both creative achievement and infamy. His split from Black Sabbath in 1979 led to a successful solo run, starting with “Blizzard of Ozz” in 1980, which generated enduring hits like “Crazy Train” and “Mr. Crowley.” Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Osbourne continued to release charting albums, headline massive tours, and influence generations of musicians. He became as well-known for controversial antics, including the infamous bat-biting incident, as for his musical prowess.

Later in life, Osbourne pivoted to reality television as the centerpiece of “The Osbournes,” an early 2000s phenomenon that showcased his offstage life and introduced him to new audiences. Despite public health struggles, including a Parkinson’s diagnosis, Osbourne remained active as a performer and recording artist until late in life. His legacy is marked by his indelible influence on rock and metal, his resilience, and his willingness to speak candidly about his battles with addiction and illness.

 

80s Star Malcolm-Jamal Warner Dies at 54 in Drowning Accident

Malcolm-Jamal Warner, known for his iconic role as Theo Huxtable on “The Cosby Show,” died at 54 during a family vacation in Costa Rica. Warner drowned after being caught in a rip tide while swimming at Cocles Beach and could not be revived by rescuers.

Joining “The Cosby Show” at 14, Warner’s performance from 1984 to 1992 helped transform television’s portrayal of Black families. His nuanced depiction of a middle-class teenager earned him an Emmy nomination and broadened the landscape for Black actors on prime time TV.

Warner remained active beyond his breakout role, starring in “Malcolm & Eddie,” recurring on “Reed Between the Lines” and “The Resident,” and voicing a character in “The Magic School Bus.” He also directed multiple television episodes and championed diversity and inclusion in entertainment.

He is survived by his family, including his daughter. Warner’s work and advocacy leave an enduring influence on American television.

 

Wrestling Legend Hulk Hogan Dies at 71

Hulk Hogan, born Terry Bollea, who became the face of professional wrestling and an enduring pop culture icon, died at age 71 following cardiac arrest. Rising in WWE’s (then WWF) early 1980s heyday, Hogan’s towering physique, handlebar mustache, and signature red-and-yellow attire became synonymous with the sport. His charisma and “Hulkamania” catchphrases helped propel professional wrestling into the mainstream, culminating in headline appearances at the first WrestleMania in 1985 and subsequent years.

Hogan captured the WWE Championship six times, battled adversaries such as Andre the Giant, Randy Savage, and later The Rock, and played pivotal roles both in the ring and as an ambassador for the industry. His 2005 induction into the WWE Hall of Fame acknowledged his influence on wrestling’s global reach.

Outside wrestling, Hogan crossed over into movies, television, and endorsements, starring in “Suburban Commando,” “Rocky III,” “Mr. Nanny,” and the VH1 reality show “Hogan Knows Best.” His later years brought legal and personal controversies, including high-profile lawsuits and scrutiny over private conduct, but he remained a defining presence in wrestling events and nostalgia circuits. Hogan’s impact extended beyond sport, shaping the marketing and spectacle-driven approach that now defines sports entertainment. He is survived by his family and by generations of wrestlers and fans who cite him as an inspiration and standard-bearer.

 

 

Fauja Singh, Turbaned Tornado, Dies in Tragic Hit-and-Run

Fauja Singh, widely celebrated as the world’s oldest marathon runner, died on July 14 in his native village of Beas Pind, Punjab, India, after being struck by a vehicle, his family reported. He was believed to be 114, though the precise details of his age have long been debated.

Singh, whose official documents list his birthdate as April 1, 1911, spent much of his life in rural India before immigrating to the United Kingdom in the late twentieth century. Birth certificates were not commonly issued at the time and place of his birth, and although his passport and family supported the 1911 date, lack of independent records meant that his athletic feats were never officially recognized by organizations such as Guinness World Records.

Despite the lack of formal recognition, Singh captured global attention for his late-blooming career in distance running. He began competitive racing at the age of 89, following a move to London and the loss of his wife and son. Singh quickly gained a reputation for his stamina and gentle demeanor, regularly completing marathons well beyond standard retirement age. In 2011, he claimed to be the first centenarian to finish a marathon at the Toronto Waterfront Marathon. In total, he completed nine full marathons between 2000 and 2013, often running alongside much younger athletes and routinely finishing ahead of many.

Singh became something of a cultural icon in both India and the UK, carrying the Olympic torch twice and participating in global advertising campaigns. He was also active in philanthropy, frequently using his growing platform to raise money and awareness for charitable causes.

Singh leaves behind extended family in both England and India. His story inspired runners and non-runners alike, challenging ideas about aging and possibility. While questions about his precise age persisted throughout his running career, there was little debate about the enduring impact of his lifelong example of perseverance.