Ukrainian delegation en route to Washington after previous negotiator resigns

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.

Former federal prosecutor Joseph Moreno criticized President Trump for using a derogatory slur against Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, calling the remark 'absolutely indefensible.' This comment came in the aftermath of a shooting incident involving National Guard members in Washington, D.C., where two were critically injured. Trump referred to Walz as 'seriously retarded' in a post on Truth Social, linking it to his views on immigration and security policies.

A woman in Washington state has been arrested for multiple DUIs related to laughing gas, leading prosecutors to issue two $50,000 warrants for her arrest due to her being deemed a high-risk danger to the community. This follows a series of incidents involving the use of whippets, which are canisters of nitrous oxide often used recreationally.

The State Department has not conducted a public press briefing in over three months, raising concerns as rivals in Washington ramp up their communication strategies to influence public opinion and challenge U.S. leadership on the global stage.

An Afghan national, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, has been charged with first-degree murder following a shooting incident that critically injured two members of the West Virginia National Guard near the White House. Lakanwal entered the U.S. under the Biden administration's Operation Allies Welcome program, which aimed to facilitate the resettlement of Afghan allies after the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Iran has announced its decision to boycott the 2026 World Cup draw in Washington, D.C., due to the U.S. denying visas to its delegation members, as reported by the state-run IRNA news agency. Iranian soccer federation spokesman Amir-Mahdi Alavi indicated that the visa issues extend beyond sports considerations.

On November 26, 2025, two members of the West Virginia National Guard were shot in a targeted attack near the White House in Washington, D.C. The suspect, identified as Rahmanullah Lakanwal from Bellingham, Washington, drove to the city to carry out the shooting, which left one guardsman dead and another critically injured.

Iran has announced its decision to boycott the upcoming World Cup 2026 group-stage draw ceremony in Washington, D.C., following the denial of visas to its representatives by the Trump administration. This move underscores the ongoing tensions between Iran and the U.S. government, particularly in the context of international sporting events.