The 1930s 2.0 & the collapse of American soft power

A shooting incident near the White House resulted in the death of one National Guard soldier, identified as Sarah Beckstrom, while another remains critically injured. The attack occurred on November 26, 2025, and the suspect, an Afghan national named Rahmanullah Lakanwal, has been taken into custody. This incident has raised significant concerns regarding security in Washington, DC.

Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national, has been identified as the suspect in a targeted shooting incident that critically injured two members of the West Virginia National Guard near the White House in Washington, D.C. The CIA has confirmed that Lakanwal previously worked with agency-backed military units during the U.S. war in Afghanistan. The shooting occurred on November 26, 2025, prompting a swift response from law enforcement.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has reiterated his demands for territorial concessions from Ukraine ahead of upcoming talks with the United States in Moscow, accusing Kyiv of being willing to fight 'to the last Ukrainian.' This statement underscores Russia's firm stance on its territorial claims amidst ongoing conflict.

Ousted President Umaro Sissoco Embalo of Guinea-Bissau has arrived in Senegal following a military coup that resulted in his deposition. The coup was marked by gunfire near the presidential palace and was announced by soldiers claiming total control of the country. Embalo's departure came a day after the military takeover, which has plunged Guinea-Bissau into further political instability.

The Louvre Museum in Paris announced a 45% increase in ticket prices for most non-EU visitors, raising the cost to $37. This decision aims to generate up to $23 million in additional revenue to fund structural improvements following a recent theft of valuable items from the museum.

Several candidates are competing to succeed President Xiomara Castro in the upcoming Honduran presidential election, amidst growing concerns regarding the integrity of the voting process. This uncertainty has led to heightened tensions within the political landscape of Honduras.

Video footage has emerged showing Israeli soldiers shooting two Palestinians in Jenin who were on their knees with their hands raised, appearing to surrender. This incident has drawn significant attention and condemnation, highlighting the ongoing violence in the region.

Heavy rains in Sri Lanka have led to severe flooding, resulting in the deaths of more than 40 individuals and causing significant disruptions to traffic and train services across multiple regions. The situation has raised concerns about public safety and the effectiveness of emergency response measures.