Trump defends key negotiator after leaked phone call appears to show him coaching Russia

A shooting incident occurred in Washington DC, where a lone gunman ambushed two National Guard members near the White House, resulting in both guardsmen being treated for gunshot wounds, according to the Metropolitan Police Department.

The Trump administration has proposed extending the operational life of certain coal plants, alongside their contentious waste disposal practices, as part of a broader energy policy initiative. This move comes amid ongoing discussions about the future of coal energy in the United States and its environmental implications.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has finalized a rule that delays the implementation of methane regulations established during the Biden administration for the oil and gas sector. This decision follows an earlier interim rule that postponed compliance deadlines by 18 months, effectively locking in the delay announced on Wednesday.

The Trump transition team has disclosed a list of 45 donors, including Education Secretary Linda McMahon and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, who co-chaired the transition. This disclosure comes one year after a pledge to release such information, highlighting the financial backing behind the transition efforts.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi confirmed that she spoke with U.S. President Donald Trump amid ongoing tensions between Japan and China. The conversation followed Trump's call with Chinese President Xi Jinping, where he expressed his friendship towards Takaichi.

Representative Eric Swalwell has filed a lawsuit against Bill Pulte, the head of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, alleging misuse of government databases to target Trump opponents with false mortgage fraud claims. This legal action highlights concerns over the integrity of government officials and the potential abuse of power in political contexts.

U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff is facing criticism following the leak of a phone call in which he advised a senior Kremlin official on how to present a peace proposal regarding Ukraine to President Trump. This has raised concerns about his loyalty and intentions amidst ongoing tensions in the region.

President Trump has announced that South Africa will not be invited to the 2026 Group of 20 Summit in Miami, citing the country's treatment of a U.S. representative during this year's summit as the reason for this exclusion.