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Top stories · Monday, August 3
Vincent Pastore, 'Big Pussy' of The Sopranos, Dead at 80 from Natural Causes
Vincent Pastore, the veteran character actor whose portrayal of FBI informant Salvatore 'Big Pussy' Bonpensiero on HBO's The Sopranos made him one of television's most memorable mob figures, has died at age 80 from natural causes. A neighbor last saw Pastore on a Wednesday and exchanged texts with him the following day before he was found unresponsive in his bed on Saturday at his City Island home in the Bronx. Manager Bob McGowan learned of the death from fellow Sopranos cast member Vincent Curatola, while longtime manager Robert Attermann released a statement calling Pastore 'so much more' than the iconic role that defined his public legacy. His Sopranos co-stars, including Jamie-Lynn Sigler and Michael Imperioli, have since paid tribute to him as a 'kind-hearted brother,' with Imperioli leading the wave of public remembrances from the cast. The outpouring of grief comes just weeks after Pastore celebrated his 80th birthday. His last known public appearance was a reunion with fellow Sopranos alumnus Stevie Van Zandt. Beyond The Sopranos, he had a decades-long career playing tough guys and wiseguys in films including Goodfellas and Awakenings, both released in 1990, and maintained a close off-screen friendship with comedian Joey Diaz. He is survived by a daughter.
Mass Shooting at Twin Falls In-N-Out Leaves 3 Dead, 7 Injured; Armed Civilian Engaged Gunman, In-N-Out President Responds
A gunman opened fire at and around an In-N-Out Burger restaurant in Twin Falls, Idaho on Saturday afternoon, killing at least three people — including a female employee — and injuring seven others, some critically, before being found dead near the scene. The attack began around 2:30 p.m. local time in one of the city's busiest commercial areas and was captured on video showing the suspect carrying what appeared to be an AR-style rifle toward a vehicle in the drive-thru area. Twin Falls Police Chief Matthew Hicks described the scene as 'very chaotic,' and authorities confirmed the FBI is assisting the investigation. An armed civilian attempted to stop the attack by returning fire at the gunman in the parking lot using a handgun. In-N-Out president Lynsi Snyder issued a public statement saying her 'heart is broken,' specifically mourning the female employee who died in the crossfire, condemning the shooter, and urging survivors to turn to God. Hundreds of witnesses were directed to the Twin Falls County Courthouse to give statements, and authorities said they were still working to identify the gunman, notify victims' families, and determine a motive, with casualties warned to potentially rise.
Spider-Man: Brand New Day Earns $927 Million Globally and $355 Million Domestically — Second-Biggest Opening Weekend Ever
Spider-Man: Brand New Day has delivered one of the most extraordinary box office performances in Hollywood history, earning $355 million domestically and $927 million worldwide over its opening weekend — both figures ranking as the second-largest openings ever recorded, trailing only Avengers: Endgame's all-time marks of $357 million domestic and $1.22 billion global. The film played on approximately 90,000 screens worldwide, and its global haul surpassed Avengers: Infinity War's previous second-place global record of $640.5 million by a wide margin. The film had already set the all-time domestic opening day record on Friday with $168 million, surpassing Endgame's previous single-day mark of $157 million, and Thursday night previews broke records at $72 million. Brand New Day also powered the biggest collective weekend in North American box office history, with the entire marketplace reaching approximately $430 million — surpassing the previous collective record of $402 million set during Endgame's opening weekend — thanks in large part to Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey performing strongly alongside it. Directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, the film picks up from the memory-erasing conclusion of No Way Home, with Peter Parker rebuilding his life and relationships from scratch. Critics have largely praised its grounded, character-driven approach as a tonal departure from recent MCU entries, with many calling it the best Spider-Man film in over two decades and singling out Holland's performance as the finest of his career in the role. The film also draws direct callbacks to Sam Raimi's iconic Spider-Man films, deepening its connection to the franchise's legacy. Dissenting voices remain — including a pointed Atlantic review arguing the street-level premise collapses within the first act, and a Wall Street Journal review calling the film outright uninspired — but audience enthusiasm has proven overwhelming. Sony's promotional campaign set a Hollywood record at $309 million in partner commitments worldwide, and a bootleg that circulated on X for over seven hours appears to have done nothing to slow the film's historic momentum. The post-credits scene has been publicly detailed, revealing Spider-Man appears headed off-world toward a role in the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday or Secret Wars.
Trump Halts Iran Strike Plans, But Tehran Denies Any Deal Was Reached
President Donald Trump announced Saturday night that the United States and Israel would stand down from planned military strikes against Iran, describing the US as 'locked and loaded' before agreeing to cancel the attack. Trump said regional countries and Iran had sought a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and end Tehran's nuclear threat, framing the pause as conditional on rapid finalization. However, Iran has flatly denied both requesting that Trump hold off on strikes and agreeing to any deal — characterizing Trump's announcement as part of a 'psychological operations' campaign. Despite the public denials, Iranian officials have separately confirmed that negotiations with Oman regarding the Strait of Hormuz are underway, and mediators report Tehran has signaled openness to a new plan to reopen the waterway. Gulf states including Saudi Arabia and Qatar pressed Trump to pursue diplomacy rather than military action. Israel has remained silent on the announcement, and Iran's armed forces remain on high alert.
Moscow Mayor Calls Restaurant Bombing a 'Brutal Terror Attack' as Death Toll Details Emerge
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin has condemned Saturday evening's explosion outside an upscale Italian restaurant on Kudrinskaya Square as a 'brutal terror attack,' vowing that those responsible will face punishment. The blast, caused by a homemade device carried by an unidentified woman, killed three people and wounded at least 21 others. One new account puts the death toll at five, though most official sources maintain three fatalities. The restaurant had been closed to the public for a private birthday celebration for Colonel General Aleksandr Chaiko, Commander-in-Chief of Russia's Aerospace Forces, who turned 55 that day and escaped unharmed along with other military and political guests. One report described the explosive as having been disguised as a gift. According to sources cited by the Kommersant newspaper, the bomb was specifically intended to kill and maim guests on the restaurant's outdoor summer terrace. Dozens of ambulance crews and emergency responders from Russia's Ministry of Emergency Situations were deployed to the scene. Russian authorities have formally classified the incident as a terrorist attack.
Sen. Bernie Moreno Calls for Miller's Resignation as Congressman Vows to Stay in Race
Ohio Republican Congressman Max Miller is facing a dramatic escalation of the domestic abuse controversy surrounding him, with two major developments on Sunday: Sen. Bernie Moreno — his former father-in-law — publicly reversed course and called on Miller to resign from Congress, saying Miller needs 'serious psychological help' and has left a 'clear pattern of abuse' in his wake. Meanwhile, Miller went live on X to flatly deny all allegations made by his ex-wife Emily Moreno, releasing what he described as supporting documentation including recordings and records, and declaring he will not drop out of the race ahead of Wednesday's ballot-withdrawal deadline. The confrontation between the two Ohio Republicans has now become an open family and political feud, with Moreno — who as recently as Friday had declined to say whether Miller should resign — now explicitly stating Miller should not serve in Congress.
Fatal Mid-Air Collision Claims Two Lives as Helicopters Fight Athens Wildfires
Two firefighting helicopters collided in midair on Sunday over the Psatha region of Attica, west of Athens, as crews battled a fast-moving wildfire driven by gale-force winds. One aircraft went down, killing both crew members aboard — identified as a Greek and a Danish national — while the two occupants of the second helicopter, a Greek and a British national, survived with minor injuries and were transported to hospital. The Bell helicopters had launched from Elefsina military airport and were operating over an area where wildfires have already destroyed more than 100 homes. Video of the collision circulated widely, underscoring the extreme hazards facing aerial firefighting crews as Europe contends with a broader wildfire emergency.
Afghan Man, 26, Arrested Over Death of Scottish Woman Found in Athens Suitcase After CCTV Breakthrough
Greek police have made a significant breakthrough in the investigation into the death of Elisabeth-Jane Ross, the 38-year-old Scottish charity worker whose body was discovered inside a suitcase in an abandoned Athens building on July 18. A 26-year-old Afghan national was arrested on August 2 after detectives identified him through analysis of video surveillance footage, and he subsequently confessed to his involvement. The suspect faces charges of manslaughter, robbery, and weapons offences — with at least one report indicating a charge of intentional homicide has also been filed. The arrest marks a major shift in the investigation, which had previously focused on a homeless man known as 'Markos' as the prime suspect. Ross, also known as Lisa, was a committed Christian who had spent years travelling to Greece to support vulnerable groups including migrants, abused women, and the homeless. The exterior of the suitcase in which her body was found yielded no fingerprints or DNA, suggesting deliberate concealment. Her precise cause of death has yet to be formally confirmed, with toxicology results still pending. Earlier reporting had placed Ross's departure point as the United States, but Greek police have since confirmed she flew to Athens from Edinburgh on June 26, staying initially with a Greek couple in Keratsini before moving to friends in central Athens.
Nirmal Purja Confirmed Dead After Broad Peak Avalanche Kills All Ten Climbers
Nirmal 'Nims' Purja, 43, has been confirmed dead following the avalanche that struck his expedition on Broad Peak in northern Pakistan on Thursday, July 30, with his company Elite Exped announcing the news on social media. His body was located by a ground rescue team at approximately 5,700 metres on the mountain, three days after the disaster, with three additional bodies also recovered nearby. The Alpine Club of Pakistan confirmed the recovery, noting that Purja was found on 'a mountain he loved, and a mountain that has now taken him from us.' All ten members of the multinational climbing team are now confirmed to have perished, making this one of the deadliest single avalanche events in recent Himalayan mountaineering history. Elite Exped's statement specifically named Purja and two of his climbing partners — Pur Bahadur Gurung (known as Yukta) and Nima Sherpa — among those confirmed killed. The body of the American climber, Sarah Mallory Geis, has also been recovered, as has that of Nadhira Alharthy, the first Omani woman to summit Everest. Reports indicate that some expedition members' remains may ultimately be left on the mountain due to the extreme conditions hampering full retrieval. Tributes have poured in from public figures including Prince William, Spencer Matthews, Bear Grylls, and Nepal's Prime Minister Balen Shah, who praised Purja's 'courage that challenges human limits.' Prince William described Purja as 'one of the world's greatest mountaineers,' saying he was 'truly saddened' by the news.
Indonesian Ferry Fire Kills Five, Leaves 41 Unaccounted For Near Madura Island
A fire broke out aboard the KMP Mutiara Sentosa 2 ferry on Sunday morning between 6 and 7 a.m. local time, as the vessel carried 271 people — 232 passengers and 39 crew — through waters off Sumenep regency near Madura Island, Indonesia. The ship was en route from Surabaya in East Java to Makassar in South Sulawesi, operated by PT Atosim Lampung Pelayaran. At least five people were killed and 41 remain missing in the Java Sea, while 225 survivors were rescued by surrounding vessels and the regional Surabaya Search and Rescue Agency. Some passengers jumped overboard to escape the blaze and were retrieved by nearby ships. Notably, approximately one hour passed before the ferry operator notified the Surabaya search and rescue office of the emergency. The cause of the fire has not yet been determined and remains under investigation.
13 killed as sightseeing plane goes down near Peru's Nazca Lines
A small tourist aircraft crashed in a field near the city of Nazca in southern Peru on Saturday, killing all 13 people aboard. The Cessna Grand Caravan, operated by Peruvian company Aerodiana, was carrying 11 tourists and two crew members on a sightseeing flight over the ancient Nazca Lines geoglyphs. The 11 tourists have been identified as nationals of Germany, Italy, and Spain — two Germans, two Spaniards, and seven Italians. The crew reported an emergency to Nazca Airport's control tower around 1pm local time before all contact was lost. The wreckage, which caught fire on impact, was found near Socos, approximately 6 kilometers from the city of Nazca and about 12 kilometers from the UNESCO-recognized archaeological site. Emergency services responded to the scene and a formal investigation is now under way. Peruvian President Keiko Fujimori, who had only just taken office, expressed deep regret over the disaster. Aerodiana has issued condolences to the victims' families.
Trump Breaks With Pirro Over Dropped Reflecting Pool Charges, Insisting Vandals Are Still to Blame
The Justice Department moved to dismiss all criminal charges against former Olympian David Hearn over alleged vandalism at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool — only for President Trump to publicly break with his own U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro the following day, declaring on Truth Social that he disagrees with the decision '100%' and continues to insist vandals caused the damage. Pirro, for her part, concluded that the pool's peeling lining resulted from flawed installation by the contractor, and directed blame at the Department of Interior for providing incomplete information during the investigation. The DOJ's own filing attributes the damage to a rushed and botched installation by contractor Atlantic Industrial Coatings, and the reversal implicates the Trump administration's own Interior Department, which oversaw a renovation whose budget ballooned from $2.1 million to roughly $14–16 million under pressure to meet a July 4th deadline tied to America's 250th birthday. Trump's public rebuke of Pirro — a loyalist he appointed — questioning her judgment openly on Truth Social, adds a new layer of internal friction to what is already a significant embarrassment for the administration, and coverage of the intra-administration dispute has spread broadly across the media landscape, including on right-leaning outlets such as Breitbart.
Infantino 'Dead Duck' as Asian Backing Complicates Removal Bid
Gianni Infantino's position at FIFA has deteriorated to the point where insiders are now describing him as a 'dead duck' and opponents are reportedly vetting potential successors. Yet the campaign to remove him faces a significant structural obstacle: four Asian football nations have publicly reaffirmed their confidence in his leadership, complicating the push by UEFA and CONCACAF to force him out. The crisis now has a clear geographic fault line, with European and North American bodies leading the charge for change while parts of Asia — and potentially other confederations in the Global South — resist what they may frame as a Western-led power play. The collapse of Infantino's $20 billion private investment scheme, the internal FIFA Council rebellion, the Balogun suspension controversy, and the broader 'pattern of missteps' framing remain live issues, but the confederation arithmetic that has historically kept Infantino in power has not yet collapsed. British Prime Minister Andy Burnham has added his voice to the chorus of critics, describing the abandoned investment plan as 'offensive to many people' and insisting the football world cannot simply move on without accountability. Media commentary has begun openly naming potential successors, while editorial opinion has hardened around the view that Infantino's resignation is now the only credible path forward.
Israel Formally Shares Security Concerns With White House Over Hamas Deal as Strikes Kill Nine
President Trump walked back earlier uncertainty about Israeli buy-in on Friday, telling reporters at Camp David that Israel is 'very happy' with the Board of Peace's Hamas disarmament agreement and that the two sides have 'an understanding.' But that framing has now been directly and formally contradicted: Israel has communicated serious security concerns about the proposed deal to the White House, according to new reporting. Israeli officials have continued to publicly reject the arrangement — National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir branded it 'unacceptable' and compared it to consenting to another October 7-style massacre, while Israeli Ambassador to the UN Danny Danon insisted Hamas must fully disarm before any next steps occur. Israeli Energy Minister Eli Cohen went further on Sunday, stating flatly that there is no deal to halt attacks on Gaza and that Israel should take full control of the Strip — which it already controls roughly 70 percent of. Israeli strikes continued for a second straight day on Sunday, killing at least nine Palestinians, a sharp escalation from the two fatalities reported in the immediate aftermath of Trump's announcement. An Israeli political source reinforced the sequencing hardline, stating there will be 'no withdrawal whatsoever' without genuine disarmament first. A U.S. official involved in the discussions also confirmed that Israel remains skeptical of the deal. Hamas said it is prepared to abide by the agreement's terms but only contingent on Israeli participation and withdrawal. Palestinians in Gaza say they hope Hamas's disarmament pledge is real but fear Israel will never actually withdraw — a dual anxiety that mirrors the core sequencing impasse. Netanyahu has remained conspicuously silent on Trump's claim that Hamas agreed to disarm, while pressure mounts from far-right coalition partners demanding outright rejection and opposition figure Gadi Eisenkot accusing him of capitulating without achieving the war's stated goals. Analysts note the deal's deliberate ambiguity allows both Netanyahu's supporters and critics to claim vindication — but that same ambiguity may prove politically dangerous as elections approach.
Cyberattacks on U.S. Water Systems Spread to Michigan as Evidence Mounts Against Iran
A coordinated wave of cyberattacks on water infrastructure has now been confirmed in Michigan as well as Minnesota and at least five other states, bringing the total to at least seven states affected, with federal investigators and independent experts increasingly pointing to Iranian-backed hackers as the likely culprits. The FBI has issued a formal warning following reports from water facilities across all seven states, while the EPA and CISA have also issued nationwide advisories. Federal investigators and cybersecurity analysts treat Iranian involvement as the working assumption, though no formal public attribution has been made — and one expert noted it is 'surprising' Iran has not publicly claimed credit. President Trump has continued to publicly reject that assessment, blaming Democratic Governor Tim Walz instead and telling reporters he does not believe an Iranian cyberattack occurred. Michigan officials confirmed their water systems were targeted but said all remained operating safely, mirroring the situation in Minnesota where no water supplies were reported unsafe. The open contradiction between Trump's public statements and the conclusions of his own federal investigators continues to define the political dimension of what agencies have treated as a serious national security incident.
RFK Jr. and CNN's Dana Bash Collide in Bitter Dispute Over Pandemic Media Coverage
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. appeared on CNN's 'State of the Union' Sunday and turned a discussion about measles outbreaks into a full-scale confrontation with anchor Dana Bash over COVID-era journalism. Kennedy accused Bash and the broader media of 'press malpractice,' arguing they amplified public health authorities without scrutiny and silenced dissenting voices during the pandemic. The exchange grew visibly hostile, with Kennedy shouting 'You are saying nonsense!' as Bash challenged his claim that the United States had the highest COVID death rate globally. Kennedy also attacked former NIAID director Anthony Fauci and argued that constitutional rights must take precedence over public health mandates.
Suicide Bomber Targets Peace Protesters in Pakistan's Swat Valley, Killing 14
A suicide bomber struck a crowd of anti-militant demonstrators gathered near a police station in Kabal, a town in Pakistan's Swat Valley, on Sunday, killing at least 14 people and wounding more than two dozen others. The victims included police officers who were present at the rally, where residents had assembled to chant against militant violence and demand peace in the region. Rescue teams transported the wounded to nearby hospitals as law enforcement cordoned off the area. No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack.
Wildfires Sweep Southern Europe: Two Killed as Firefighting Helicopters Collide Mid-Air Over Greece
A wave of devastating wildfires continues to tear through southern Europe, with Greece now battling fires in more than 70 locations simultaneously as strong winds persist — and the crisis has deepened further after two firefighting helicopters collided mid-air over the Psatha area of Attica, west of Athens, killing two crew members. Both aircraft were BELL helicopters leased to the fire service, each carrying a two-person crew, and had departed from Elefsina military airport before the collision. The crew of one helicopter were located and confirmed safe; the crew of the second were found dead. The precise cause of the collision remains under investigation. Separately, firefighters are struggling to protect the coastal resort of Porto Germeno, where over 300 personnel are deployed and hundreds of residents who ignored evacuation orders had to be rescued by sea. Greek authorities have declared a state of emergency in parts of Crete and elsewhere as hurricane-force winds accelerate fires in the Rethymno region, where three firefighters have previously been killed on the ground and thousands of residents and tourists forced to flee. One expert has described the situation as a 'megafire.' In one dramatic episode, around 500 people — the majority of them tourists — were evacuated by boat from the coastal area of Agios Vasileios after being cut off by advancing flames. Over 100 homes have been destroyed. There is some positive news from France, where authorities have declared the massive Gironde 'megafire' contained, though more than 224,000 French residents have been forced to flee wildfires overall. Other blazes in France and Spain have reignited or been fuelled by strong winds. The UK Foreign Office has issued updated travel guidance for Greece as the fires continue to affect popular tourist destinations. Greece's prime minister has warned of 'extremely difficult days ahead,' while the EU has cautioned that the entire continent remains at risk.
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