Justice Department opens new office for gun-rights enforcement

Two members of the West Virginia National Guard were critically injured in a targeted shooting incident near the White House in Washington, D.C. The shooting occurred close to the Farragut West metro station, prompting a swift response from law enforcement and raising significant security concerns in the area.

Two members of the West Virginia National Guard were shot near the White House in Washington, D.C., and are currently in critical condition. The incident, described as targeted, occurred close to the Farragut West metro station, prompting a response from local officials including Mayor Muriel Bowser and FBI Director Kash Patel.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed a request to U.S. District Judge Paul A. Engelmayer to lift the protective order on evidence related to Jeffrey Epstein, allowing the release of records and notes pertinent to Ghislaine Maxwell's case. This request follows a broader push for transparency regarding Epstein's activities and the investigations surrounding him.

A U.S. envoy reportedly provided a Russian aide with strategies for promoting a peace deal concerning Ukraine, highlighting ongoing diplomatic efforts amid the conflict. This interaction underscores the complexities of negotiations between the U.S., Russia, and Ukraine as they seek a resolution to the prolonged crisis.

The Trump administration announced new lower Medicare prices for 15 drugs, resulting in a projected savings of $12 billion compared to the previous year's spending. This initiative follows extensive negotiations with pharmaceutical companies aimed at reducing costs for Medicare beneficiaries.

The Trump administration's initiative to terminate longstanding school desegregation orders from the 1960s has encountered resistance from a federal judge in Louisiana, who has raised concerns about the implications of such actions on educational equity. This legal challenge underscores the complexities involved in altering established civil rights protections in education.

The Trump administration has announced the termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for approximately 340,000 Haitians living in the US, with the status set to expire on February 3. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem stated that allowing Haitians to remain contradicts US national interests.

The Supreme Court has decided not to allow the Trump administration to immediately fire the director of the U.S. Copyright Office, postponing its ruling until after it addresses two other significant firing cases. This decision reflects the Court's cautious approach to employment-related disputes involving federal officials.