WASHINGTON 亗

‎Federal officials accelerated a sweeping immigration crackdown after the shooting of two National Guard members near the White House left the victims in critical condition. The Trump administration launched new actions as investigators continued examining the cross-country movements of suspect Rahmanullah Lakanwal. ‎ ‎Trump administration widens immigration crackdown after the Washington ambush of two National Guard members as investigators pursue a nationwide terror probe. ‎Win McNamee/Getty Images ‎ ‎The victims, West Virginia National Guard members Sarah Beckstrom and Andrew Wolfe, were shot Wednesday in an ambush close to the White House. Authorities apprehended Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national, shortly after the attack and opened a nationwide terrorism investigation. ‎ ‎The US attorney for Washington, DC, Jeanine Pirro, described the shooting as a “brazen and targeted” attack. Federal agents searched the crime scene and executed warrants at locations in Washing...

‎The San Francisco 49ers managed a 20-9 victory over the Carolina Panthers, but quarterback Brock Purdy’s performance raised concerns. Purdy threw three first-half interceptions and struggled to pass beyond 10 yards in the second half, limiting the offense’s big-play potential. ‎ ‎Brock Purdy struggled with turnovers and limited deep throws in 49ers’ win over Panthers. Confidence and playmaking key for upcoming games. ‎Brooke Sutton/Getty Images ‎ ‎Purdy emphasized the importance of maintaining confidence after turnovers. He stated, “As a quarterback, you can’t lose confidence in yourself. You can’t shrivel back and take a bunch of checkdowns.” This mindset is critical as the 49ers rely on his playmaking ability to drive the team forward. ‎ ‎San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan has previously demonstrated a willingness to call timeouts to protect Purdy, highlighting the impact turnovers and hesitation can have on offensive efficiency. Purdy currently ranks second-worst in...

‎A Washington resident has died from complications linked to an H5N5 bird flu infection, according to the Washington State Department of Health. The strain has not been previously reported in humans, marking a rare development in ongoing avian influenza surveillance. ‎ ‎Washington health officials report the first human H5N5 bird flu case after an older resident dies, as monitoring continues and public risk remains low. ‎CDC/NIAID/AP ‎ ‎The individual was an older adult with underlying medical conditions and had been hospitalized for treatment. Health officials identified the case as the first human bird flu infection in the United States in nine months and the second reported human death from the virus in the country. ‎ ‎The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stated that the overall public risk remains low. Monitoring of people who were in close contact with the patient continues, and no additional positive tests have been reported. Officials have not found evid...

‎Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned that his country may soon face a critical decision as global leaders examine a U.S. peace proposal viewed as favorable to Russia. His comments followed a national address in which he said Ukraine must balance the protection of its sovereign rights with the American support it continues to rely on. ‎ Putin cautiously backs a U.S. peace plan as Trump sets a deadline for Ukraine, and Zelenskyy weighs the proposal amid European pledges of continued support. ‎Press Service Of The President Of Ukraine via AP ‎ ‎Russian President Vladimir Putin cautiously welcomed the U.S. plan, calling it a possible basis for a final settlement to the nearly four-year conflict. The proposal contains several long-standing Russian demands, including territorial concessions, a reduced Ukrainian military, and restrictions blocking Ukraine’s NATO ambitions. Putin accused Ukraine of rejecting the plan and described Kyiv’s position as unrealistic. ‎ ‎Zelen...

‎Speaker Mike Johnson publicly defended President Donald Trump’s recent statements accusing congressional Democrats of “sedition.” Johnson said the controversy arose after Democrats posted a video suggesting military members should disobey unlawful orders from Trump. ‎ ‎Speaker Mike Johnson backs Trump’s sedition claims, criticizing Democrats for urging troops to disobey orders while calling remarks “fact-based.” ‎Getty Images ‎ ‎Johnson characterized the Democrats’ actions as “wildly inappropriate” and insisted that Trump’s message, which included the phrase “SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH,” was a factual description of the crime of sedition. Johnson noted that legal experts would need to examine the wording in context. ‎ ‎Trump had earlier shared a repost from another Truth Social user stating, “HANG THEM GEORGE WASHINGTON WOULD!!” Johnson acknowledged he had not reviewed the full scope of Trump’s posts but supported his criticism of the six House and Senate Demo...

‎Federal prosecutors have charged Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick with multiple offenses connected to an alleged $5 million FEMA fraud scheme tied to a 2021 COVID-19 vaccination staffing contract. The indictment outlines accusations of theft, money laundering, and the misuse of federal funds for campaign financing. ‎ ‎DOJ indicts Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick for allegedly stealing $5M in FEMA funds, laundering the money, and directing it into her 2021 campaign. ‎J. Scott Applewhite/AP ‎ ‎The Department of Justice reports that Cherfilus-McCormick, 46, and her brother Edwin Cherfilus, 51, allegedly diverted a $5 million FEMA overpayment received by their family health-care company in July 2021. According to the indictment, the funds were routed through several accounts as part of a plan to conceal their origin. ‎ ‎Federal prosecutors state that a significant share of the diverted FEMA money was used to support Cherfilus-McCormick’s 2021 congressional campaign. The...