U.S. and Ukrainian negotiators meet as Trump seeks to broker an end to the war

Steve Witkoff, the U.S. special envoy to the Middle East, is set to travel to Moscow as Ukraine-Russia peace talks show promising signs of progress. This visit comes amid ongoing diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict in Ukraine, highlighting the U.S. commitment to facilitating dialogue between the involved parties.

Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) criticized the White House for lacking 'moral clarity' regarding the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, urging the administration to take a stronger stance in support of Ukraine during peace negotiations. He expressed concerns that the current approach may undermine the democratic nation amidst the conflict.

Several lawmakers are demanding accountability from the Trump administration following reports of a second U.S. military strike on a vessel accused of drug trafficking off the coast of Venezuela. This incident, which occurred on September 2, has raised concerns about potential war crimes and the legality of such military actions.

Top U.S. negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are traveling to Moscow for discussions aimed at ending the war in Ukraine, following a productive day of negotiations with Ukrainian officials. This visit is part of ongoing diplomatic efforts to establish a peace plan amid the protracted conflict.

Peace negotiations between Ukraine and the U.S. have progressed in Florida following the resignation of Andriy Yermak, with Rustem Umerov now leading Ukraine's diplomatic team. This shift indicates a potential rethinking of Ukraine's previously uncompromising stance in the ongoing conflict with Russia.

On November 26, 2025, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national, allegedly carried out a shooting targeting two members of the West Virginia National Guard near the White House, resulting in critical injuries. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem stated that Lakanwal was radicalized in the U.S. after being granted asylum during the Trump administration, raising concerns about domestic extremism.

Northwestern University has agreed to pay $75 million to the Trump administration to settle investigations into allegations of antisemitism on its campus, thereby regaining access to federal funding that had been previously frozen. This agreement is part of a broader civil rights deal aimed at addressing the university's handling of these serious allegations.

On November 26, 2025, an Afghan refugee, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, allegedly shot and critically injured two members of the West Virginia National Guard near the White House in Washington, D.C. Homeland Security officials have attributed the vetting failures of the shooter to the Biden administration, suggesting he may have been radicalized after arriving in the U.S. in 2021.